President Higgins leads tributes to former Taoiseach John Bruton
Hannah McNamara
Tributes have been paid to former Taoiseach John Bruton, who has died aged 76.
Bruton who served as a Taoiseach from 1994-97 as the leader of the 'Rainbow Coalition' and as a Fine Gael leader from 1990 to 2001, has died after a long illness.
Bruton's family confirmed the news today in a statement:
"It is with deep sadness we wish to announce the death of former Taoiseach John Bruton.
"He died peacefully in the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, surrounded by his loving family, early this morning following a long illness.
"He was a good husband, a good father and a true patriot.
"We will miss him greatly."
John is survived by his wife, Finola, son Matthew and daughters; Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, grandchildren, sons-in-law, his brother, Richard and sister, Mary, nieces, nephews, many cousins and extended family.
President Higgins has led tributes to late politican saying his contributions to the public debate will be "greatly missed":
"It is with sadness that I have learned of the death of Council of State member and former Taoiseach, John Bruton.
"May I send my deepest sympathies to John’s wife Finola, to his children Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, and to all of his family.
"It was a privilege to serve as a member of Dáil Éireann and of Cabinet with John and, in particular, when he served as a very energetic Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997.
"John Bruton was a deeply committed politician, who demonstrated a life-long interest and engagement in public affairs and public service both in Ireland and internationally.
"His contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process during his time as Taoiseach was very significant. In this work, he brought a particular sensitivity and a generous approach to inclusion with regard to the perspective of the ‘Other’.
"Together with John Major, his overseeing of the development of the Joint Framework Document in 1995 was a pivotal foundation for the Good Friday Agreement.
"It was a mark of John Bruton’s interest in politics that while his term as Taoiseach included an emphasis on the local, and in particular the ongoing issues with regard to Northern Ireland, he was always a strongly committed promoter of politics in the European Union.
"This was reflected in his ongoing work in support of European integration throughout the period following his term as Taoiseach. In his role as Ambassador of the European Union to the United States from 2004 to 2009, he helped to further build the definition of that role during what was at times a challenging period in relations between the EU and the United States.
"Very open and forthright in his opinions, John had a great sense of humour which was a great help in ensuring a sense of collegiality and that small issues would never be allowed to defeat what was important in relation to the things that mattered most.
"Always bristling with ideas, and occasionally demonstrating an impatience with the difficulties of implementation, those of us who worked with John, be it in Government or in Opposition, will recall the energy which he brought to the different parts of politics. This continued in John’s many contributions to the public debate in the years following his departure from office and, in all of his roles, was something which I always very much welcomed and found very refreshing.
"Our most recent contact was in relation to the recent considerations of the Council of State, which he sought to attend right to the end.
"While we were conscious, and would occasionally remind each other both in Government and in the years after, of an ideological gap between us, our conversations nearly always ended with the very particular deep laugh which all of us who knew him will immediately recall.
"John will be remembered with great warmth and his contributions to the public debate greatly missed.”
Tánaiste, Micheál Martin paid tribute to the former Taoiseach:
"It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of John Bruton.
"A committed politician full of ideas and energy, John worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.
"A passionate European and clear about Ireland’s place in the EU, John believed in public service and was a true patriot.
"My deepest sympathies to his wife Finola and all the Bruton family."
Former Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey also paid his respects to Bruton, the "patriot":
"I extend my deepest sympathies to Finola and his son and daughters, and the extended Bruton family.
"John was 18 years in the Dail when I arrived in, but he only left it seven years before me.
"I always had a height of regard for the man, I regarded him as a man of great ability and integrity in politics.
"He was very much committed to his constituency, his county and to his country. I think it would be fair to call him a patriot.
"He had a huge commitment to politics generally and as somebody that was a contemporary of his for a good twenty years, an opponent if you like, I always regarded myself as an opponent never an enemy because he fought politics on ideas and policies and never on personality.
"I think it's always a measure of a man if he disagrees with you politically on a point but can accept the sincerity of your views even if they're totally the opposite to his own."
Minister Helen McEntee described Bruton as a "reforming and honourable Taoiseach":
"John Bruton was an honest, fair, and gifted person who contributed immensely to Ireland, Europe and the world throughout a half-century of political leadership.
"Thousands of people in County Meath and beyond will mourn a completely genuine person, who devoted his life to his family and to improving our country and our world.
"John Bruton was a reforming and honourable Taoiseach, a courageous Minister for Finance, an imaginative Minister for Industry and EU Ambassador to the United States, a hardworking Fine Gael Leader, and a hugely effective Meath TD for 35 years.
"John was a proud father, husband, son, sibling, and cousin. He was a generous neighbour and a devout Catholic.
"Like many others who benefitted from his wisdom, I will always be grateful for his extensive knowledge, his open-mindedness, his consistency, and his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
"I offer my sympathy to Finola, his son Matthew and daughters; Juliana, Emily, and Mary-Elizabeth, and to John’s wider family and neighbours in Dunboyne. May he rest in peace."
Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne said Dunboyne man John will be "greatly" missed by the community:
"I am very saddened to learn that John Bruton has passed away.
John Bruton was a proud Dunboyne man who served his community, his country and the European Union as Taoiseach, EU Ambassador and TD for Meath.
John’s valuable contribution to the Peace Process is something which we can all share gratitude for.
As Taoiseach, he showed a great deal of political skill in managing a three-party coalition, which consisted of diverse political ideologies.
Those political and diplomatic skills were later recognised by the European Union when John was asked to serve as Ambassador of the European Union to the United States.
In later life, John continued to contribute to public life in various roles. His contributions to the debates and discussions of the day were always considered and important.
John Bruton was a statesman but at heart, he was a Dunboyne man, who will be greatly missed by his local community.
He served with distinction and honour.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal."
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD stated:
"I wish to extend sympathies to the family, friends and Fine Gael colleagues of former Taoiseach John Bruton. John gave many decades of service to the State and to his party. I extend, on behalf of Sinn Féin, my condolences. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
Also paying tribute to John, Seán Kelly MEP said:
"I am very sad to learn of the passing of John Bruton, a former leader of Fine Gael, former Taoiseach and former EU Ambassador to the United States. He was a man of integrity and courage. He called things out as they were. He had an innate diplomatic skill and was highly respected at EU level.
"He worked tirelessly on peace and restoration in Northern Ireland. He was a strong European and believed in the value of the EU. In fact, it was on the sidelines of an EU summit that John Bruton and John Major discussed the idea of a talks process that would eventually lead to the Good Friday Agreement being achieved. So, it is very poignant that his passing follows the restoration of power-sharing at Stormont, with all the hope that brings for stability and peace. He leaves behind a legacy to be proud of.
"John was a friend and a confidante. I will always remember his infectious laugh and great personality. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, called John "a giant of Irish politics":
"John Bruton. Taoiseach, FG Leader, held multiple ministries, 35 years a TD, EU Ambassador. He encouraged me into politics and always lead with honesty and integrity. He’ll be missed by so many. My condolences to Finola and the Bruton family. RIP."
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny shared a statement following the news of Bruton's passing:
"It is with deep sadness that I have learnt of the passing of John Bruton, after a long illness. Ireland has lost a true patriot; and we have all lost a good friend.
"I had the privilege to serve with John in Dáil Eireann and in Government over many years. He was a distinguished parliamentarian who became a great Taoiseach, always guided by his passion for social justice. As Taoiseach, he laid much of the groundwork for future positive progress in the Northern Ireland peace process.
"John will be remembered by most as an honourable person with great resilience and a wonderful sense of humour, who always put his country first. He was outstanding in his commitment to the European Union and excelled in explaining the EU to American politicians from both parties.
"On behalf of Fionnuala and myself I extend our heartfelt condolences to John’s wife Finola; his daughters, Juliana, Emily, and Mary-Elizabeth; son Matthew; his sister Mary; and of course, his brother Richard.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis."
Paying tribute to John, IFA President Francie Gorman said Burton had kept a watching brief on farming matters during his term as Taoiseach and ensured that Government policy around inheritance was applied equally to farm families:
"His contributon to Irish politics will be remembered as having made a difference.
"My predecessors Alan Gillis and John Donnelly would have had many interaction with John Bruton during his time as Fine Gael leader and as Taoiseach. Both would say that he was very committed to addressing the issues that confronted them."
Tributes also arrived from overseas with Baron John Alderdice saying Bruton's passing is "a great loss for Ireland". He added: "History will be kind to him for his lifetime of service to his beloved Ireland and the wider world."
Bishop Tom Deenihan paid tribute to the Dunboyne man:
"I was very sorry to hear of the death of John Bruton this morning. I offer my sincere sympathy and prayers to his wife Finola, son Matthew, daughters Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, his brother Richard and to his sister Mary.
"John will be remembered as a man of principle and virtue, which was evident in his successful tenure in public life and as Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997. He was also a man of faith who recognised the notions of service and the common good in his career as well as the importance of faith and parish. John was a valued and active member of the Dunboyne parish community.
"He was also a person of integrity and stature and the people of Meath have always been proud of John’s leadership as both Taoiseach, and as European Ambassador to the United States, roles that he served with distinction.
"John Bruton’s legacy to our society is that of a committed Christian, a patriot, a selfless public servant who innately understood that sacrifice was a perquisite to the common good."