President leads tributes to 'a giant of politics'

President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to former Taoiseach John Bruton, who has died following a long illness aged 76.

President Higgins said that Mr Bruton will be remembered "with great warmth" and that his contributions to the public debate will be "greatly missed".

Mr Higgins, who served as a member of Cabinet with Mr Bruton, said the former Taoiseach was a deeply committed politician who demonstrated a "life-long interest and engagement in public affairs and public service" in Ireland and internationally.

He noted Mr Bruton's contributions to the Northern Ireland peace process as well as his promotion of European integration.

Mr Higgins added: "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."

'Whole Fine Gael family mourns his loss'

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was devastated to hear of Mr Bruton's death, saying the former Fine Gael leader was one of the reasons he become involved in politics and joined the party.

In a statement, Mr Varadkar said that Mr Bruton was always encouraging and supportive and "his knowledge and experience were particularly helpful during Brexit and during coalition negotiations".

He described Mr Bruton as a "doer and a philosopher" and "conservative but always compassionate and caring".

The Taoiseach said that above all he believed that "Mr 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 and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin also paid tribute to Mr Bruton.

In a statement, Mr Martin said: "John Bruton was a committed politician full of ideas and energy who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. His unwavering commitment and remarkable leadership has left an indelible mark on our nation's history.

"A passionate European and clear about Ireland’s place in the EU, John believed in public service and was a true patriot who dedicated his life to the service and betterment of our country.

"He strongly opposed violence and firmly believed in resolving conflicts through dialogue, understanding, and peaceful means."

"On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil organisation, I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife Finola and all the Bruton family," he added.

'Giant of politics'

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney described Mr Bruton as a "giant of politics who held multiple ministeries over his long political career.

The Fine Gael TD said Mr Bruton encouraged him to enter politics and always led with honesty and integrity.

"He'll be missed by so many".

John Bruton. He was a giant of Irish politics. Taoiseach, FG Leader, held multiple ministries, 35 years a TD, EU Ambassador.
He encouraged me into politics and always lead with honesty & integrity.
He'll be missed by so many. My condolences to Finola and the Bruton family. RIP https://t.co/TrVsENIPtg
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) February 6, 2024

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said it is a sad day for politics and for the Bruton family.

"It is very sad news. He was such a big figure for so many people but most importantly for his family, and I really want to just offer my deepest condolences to them," Ms McEntee said.

"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," she said.

We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

Former Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes said Mr Bruton was a fountain of good ideas and described his political career as very successful.

"You could disagree with him and not have a row. He was in a hurry to get things done," he said.

Mr Dukes praised Mr Bruton's time as Taoiseach saying he held a potentially disparate government together very well.

He said Mr Bruton will be greatly missed.

He was a strong character with an infectious laugh who was a constant challenge and a joy to deal with, Mr Dukes said.

Former taoiseach Enda Kenny said Ireland has lost a "true patriot" and "we have all lost a good friend".

In a statement, he said: "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."

Mr Kenny added John Bruton will "be remembered by most as an honourable person with great resilience and a wonderful sense of humour, who always put his country first".

Served Ireland and Europe with distinction

European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness said Mr Bruton served Ireland and Europe with distinction.

She said he gave her "the honour of proposing my nomination as candidate for the European Parliament elections in 2004. His family are in my thoughts. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

Norah Owen, who served as justice minister and Fine Gael deputy leader during the rainbow coalition from 1994 to 1997, said Mr Bruton was an incredible man who really thought about what was good for the country and for the children of this country.

(L-R) Jim Mitchell with Fine Gael Leader John Bruton and Nora Owen at the launch of Fine Gael's Plan for the Nation at the National Concert Hall in Dublin in 2000 (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Colm Ó Mongáin, she said: "He would come up in the morning, early and say, I thought about this last night, I thought about this yesterday, and we've got to do this and we've got to do that. And he would set about to try and make improvements to our lives."

She said Mr Bruton honed his political skills over a long number of years and was a man who knew his own mind and what he wanted to achieve.

"He was always on the go, he never stopped thinking and refining and revising policy."

Ms Owen said she was so happy when Mr Bruton became Taoiseach in 1994.

That was the crowning glory of his career and I was very honoured to be his deputy leader during that time, she said.

One of the 'decent' and 'genuine' people

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said Mr Bruton was one of the "decent" and "genuine" people.

Speaking on the same programme, he said: "My view of John is that he was a gentleman".

"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.

(L-R) Then British Prime Minister is seen laughing with (L-R) Ruairi Quinn, John Bruton, and Bertie Ahern before he addressed the joint Houses of the Oireachtas in November 1998

"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."

'True statesman'

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan described John Mr as a "true statesman" and "committed public representative".

In a statement, Mr Ryan extended his sympathy to the Bruton family and to the Fine Gael party.

He said: "John was a committed public representative and had a long, successful career in public life culminating in his election as Taoiseach in 1994.

"I served with John in the Dáil from 2002 to 2004 and remember him as being gregarious, and a larger than life character who was always helpful, insightful and friendly.

"He was a true statesman over several decades to the great benefit of the country, Irish politics and diplomacy."

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly said he was "very saddened" to hear of Mr Bruton's death.

In a post on X, he wrote "Very saddened to hear about the passing of my good friend and former Taoiseach John Bruton. My heart goes out to his family. He was a gentleman and one of the best politicians our country has had. May he rest in peace."

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has expressed her condolences to Mr Bruton's 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."

The Ulster Unionist Party also offered its condolences to Mr Bruton's family in a post on social media.

The Ulster Unionist Party wish to express sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of former Taoiseach John Bruton. pic.twitter.com/mjd7uFZ6rp
— Ulster Unionist Party (@uuponline) February 6, 2024

Additional reporting PA

More stories on