'A formidable servant of the Irish nation': Tributes pour in following death of John Bruton
John File Farrell/rollingnews Picture: Ie Eamonn In 1995 Bruton
Former taoiseach John Bruton has been remembered as a "gentleman" who was "a formidable servant of the Irish nation and of peace".
It was announced on Tuesday that Mr Bruton had died at the age of 76 following a long illness. He died in a Dublin hospital surrounded by his family.
Mr Bruton was leader of Fine Gael from 1990 to 2001 and Taoiseach from 1994 until 1997 as head of the “rainbow coalition” government alongside Labour and Democratic Left.
Born in Dunboyne in Co Meath, he graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) before qualifying as a barrister from King’s Inns.
Mr Bruton was first elected to the Dáil as TD for Meath at the age of 22 and continued to rise through Fine Gael until his retirement from domestic politics in 2004.
He served two terms as Minister for Finance during the 1980s and as Minister for Industry and Energy and Minister for Trade.
Mr Bruton later served as the European Union’s ambassador to the US from 2004 to 2009.
Tributes from across the political world have poured in since his death was announced, with it being labelled a sad day for politics.
Tributes were led by President Michael D Higgins who said that he had learned of Mr Bruton's passing "with sadness".
He said he had seen Mr Bruton's contributions up close when he served as a minister in Mr Bruton's Cabinet.
"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."
The president said Mr Bruton was deeply committed to his work and demonstrated a life-long interest and engagement in public affairs and public service at home and internationally.
"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."
He said that the former taoiseach "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".
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar cited Mr Bruton as one of the reasons he entered politics and joined Fine Gael.
"He was always encouraging and supportive on a personal level, from my time in Young Fine Gael to my time as Taoiseach. We kept in touch and his knowledge and experience were particularly helpful during Brexit and during coalition negotiations.
"We last spoke just before Christmas when he was unable to attend the Council of State due to his illness. I spoke to his wife Finola and brother Richard this morning to pass on my condolences.
"John was a doer and a philosopher. He was passionately pro-European in Government and in Opposition, and was well-liked and respected among colleagues in Europe and in the European People’s Party in which he served as Vice-President. He knew that Ireland’s place and destiny was at the heart of Europe and made the case for it eloquently."
On the North, Mr Varadkar said Mr Bruton "strongly opposed violence as a means to advance political objectives and believed in unity through consent".
"He made a particular effort to reach out to the Unionist community. He advocated a new patriotism and opposed narrow nationalism. While these views are now held by the majority of people, that was not always the case and he was willing to lead, even when it meant going against the grain.
"John believed in an enterprise economy and responsible management of the public finances. I am convinced that the decisions made by the ‘Rainbow’ Government which he led from 1994 to 1997, comprising Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left, laid the foundation for much of the economic prosperity we have enjoyed since."
Mr Varadkar added: "Above all, I believe John Bruton possessed real dignity and imbued compassion and patriotism. The whole Fine Gael family mourns his loss, and he will always be remembered for his service to our Party and to the Irish State."
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Mr Bruton had "worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation".
Mr Martin said that Mr Bruton was a committed politician who was always full of ideas and energy.
"A passionate European and clear about Ireland’s place in the EU, John believed in public service and was a true patriot," said Mr Martin.
Bertie Ahern, who succeeded Mr Bruton as Taoiseach in 1997, said he was one of the “decent” and “genuine” people.
“My view of John is that he was a gentleman,” Mr Ahern told RTÉ after Mr Bruton’s death was announced.
“He was always the private man. He was leader of the House in government, and I was leader of the House in opposition, way back in the early’ 80s.
“I worked with them on so many issues over so many years. We got on very well.
“I considered him one of the decent people. His involvement in the North (Northern Ireland) was always genuine.
“He was a totally genuine person and always acted in the interests of the people of the country, of the people of need and I wouldn’t have a bad word to say about John Bruton.”
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said it is a sad day for politics and for the Bruton family.
“He’s someone that has been such a strong presence in politics for so many years, but particularly in Meath.
“It’s something that I experienced and have witnessed over the many years, just how well he was loved and how many people knew him and how many people felt they knew him, even if they had never met him.
“I think it’s because of the way in which he worked and the way in which he engaged with people no matter what position he was in, whether it was Taoiseach, whether it was leader of Fine Gael, or whether it was ambassador to the US, he always had time to stop and to talk to people and to talk about the big and the small issues.
“So it’s a sad, sad day for politics, most importantly for his family.”
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl added: “I was saddened to learn of the passing of John Bruton and on behalf of the Houses of the Oireachtas pass on my deepest sympathies to his wife, Finola, children, Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, grandchildren, sister Mary, and his brother and our colleague in Dáil Éireann, Deputy Richard Bruton.
“John Bruton gave nearly four decades of dedicated service to the people of Ireland as a Member of the Dáil from his first election in 1969 to his retirement in 2005. As a TD, Minister and ultimately Taoiseach, John brought total commitment to democracy, absolute integrity to politics and dedication to public service. This will be his legacy."
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney hailed Mr Bruton as a giant of Irish politics.
"Taoiseach, [Fine Gael] Leader, held multiple ministries, 35 years a TD, EU Ambassador. He encouraged me into politics and always lead with honesty & integrity," Mr Coveney wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Mr Bruton played a role in the Northern Ireland peace talks and launched the Anglo-Irish 'Framework Document' in 1995, a document that outlined new proposed relations between Ireland, the North and the UK.
His British counterpart, former prime minister John Major, said he was "shocked to learn" of Mr Bruton's death.
“He was a brave and talented Taoiseach who contributed mightily to the early days of the peace process," said Mr Major.
“In testing circumstances, he put peace above political self-interest to progress the path towards the end of violence.
“He was a formidable servant of the Irish nation and of peace, and I am deeply saddened at his passing.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill expressed her condolences to the Bruton family.
Speaking in the Assembly, she said: “I want to pass on my condolences to the family of former taoiseach John Bruton, who we’ve just been notified has sadly passed away.
“To his family and friends, we send them our condolences at this very sad time.”
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson praised the former taoiseach for his work in the North.
"John was a gentleman who as prime minister reached out to unionists to try and gain a better understanding of our position and to encourage practical co-operation," he said.