John Bruton coached from 1994 to 1997
Former Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) John Bruton has passed away after a long illness.
The 76-year-old Fine Gael politician died in the Martell Hospital, Dublin, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, his family said in a statement.
“He was a good husband, a good father and a true patriot. We will miss him very much,” they said.
Bruton served as coach from 1994 to 1997.
He was instrumental in advancing the Northern Ireland peace process with British Prime Minister John Major, and jointly launched the UK-Ireland Framework Document in 1995.
Sir John said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Mr Bruton’s death and described him as “a formidable servant of the Irish nation and peace”.
“He was a brave and talented Taoist who made a huge contribution to the early stages of the peace process,” Sir John said.
“In trying circumstances, he put peace above political self-interest to advance the path to ending violence.”
John Major (left) and John Bruton were deeply involved in the Northern Ireland peace process in the mid-1990s.
Born in Dublin on 18 May 1947, Mr Bruton was elected to the Dáil in 1969 representing Meath.
As Prime Minister, he led the so-called ‘Rainbow Coalition’ of Fine Gael, Labor and the Democratic Left, but lost the 1997 general election to Bertie Ahern’s Fianna Fáil party.
During his tenure as Taoiseach, he steered the referendum that paved the way for the legalization of divorce in Ireland.
He continued to lead Fine Gael until 2001, after which he served as EU ambassador to the US.
“Practitioner and Philosopher”
In a eulogy on Tuesday, current Fine Gael leader and Taoist leader Leo Varadkar described Mr Bruton as an “activist and activist who made extraordinary efforts to reach out to the trade unionist community”. He said he was a philosopher.
Mr Varadkar said: “He was strongly opposed to violence as a means of advancing political ends and believed in unity by consent.”
“He advocated a new patriotism and opposed parochial nationalism.
“These ideas are now accepted by the majority of people, but this was not always the case.”
Mr Varadkar said Mr Bruton was one of the reasons he became involved in politics.
“Above all, I believe John Bruton was a man of true dignity and imbued with compassion and patriotism,” he added.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins described Mr. Bruton as a “very energetic leader” and “dedicated politician” and said he was honored to work with him.
President Higgins added that Mr Bruton had contributed to the Northern Ireland peace process, bringing “special consideration” and a “generous approach to inclusiveness”.
Former US President Bill Clinton (right) and John Bruton before a meeting to discuss the Northern Ireland peace process in December 1995.
“Principled politician”
Mr Bruton’s successor, Bertie Ahern, who led the Republic of Ireland during the Good Friday Agreement, said Mr Bruton’s commitment to Northern Ireland had “always been genuine”.
“My view of John is that he was a gentleman,” Mr Ahern told RTÉ.
“He was a completely honest man and always acted in the best interest of the people of the country, of those in need. I have nothing bad to say about John Bruton.”
European Parliament President Roberta Mezzola said she was deeply saddened by Barton’s death.
political “giant”
Speaker of the Dail Sean O’ Fearghail expressed his “deepest condolences” on behalf of the Oireachtas to Mr Bruton’s family.
Members of Northern Ireland’s parliament also commented on Mr Bruton’s death in Parliament on Tuesday morning.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengery expressed their condolences to family and friends.
“I just received a notification. [he] Unfortunately he has passed away,” said Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O’Neill.
“Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Council leader Edwin Poots said he would write to the Bruton family to express his condolences.
image source, Getty Images
King – Prince of Wales – May 1995 with John Bruton at a state dinner at Dublin Castle
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris also said he was disappointed to hear of the former Taoiseach’s death.
“He had a positive impact on the relationship between Britain and Ireland and the framework agreed with John Major in 1995 was an important step on the path to the (Good Friday Agreement). My thoughts are with his family. and friends,” he said of X.