Minister leads local tributes to former taoiseach

Local tributes to former taoiseach, John Bruton, are being led by Minister for European Affairs, Peter Burke, TD, who has expressed his deep sadness.

“It was with great sadness that I heard the news of the passing of John Bruton today. I pass on my condolences to his wife Finola, his children, Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary Elizabeth, his brother, my close colleague Richard, and sister Mary.

“John was a true gentleman and statesman. I remember him travelling to launch my campaign for the Dáil in 2011, and since then, without exception, he was invariably supportive and helpful to me.

“On many occasions, he provided me with great advice in respect of my European Affairs portfolio, an area which he had immense experience, having served as EU ambassador to the United States as well as taoiseach and minister for finance, among many other roles over his long and distinguished career.

“He led Fine Gael and the government through critical times in our history, including negotiations for the Good Friday agreement as well as economic recession.

“John had a huge personal vote in his native County Meath and served as minister of state from 1973 to 1977 and as cabinet minister from 1982 to 1987. Serving as taoiseach of the Rainbow Coalition between 1994 to 1997 was perhaps his greatest political achievement, although a passionate supporter of European integration, I’m sure he valued his role as EU ambassador to the US.

“He was elected to Dáil Éireann at 22, one of the youngest TDs ever elected, and served as taoiseach in his 40s, which was a mark of the mature politician that he was.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Statement by President Higgins on the death of John Bruton

“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.”