Tributes paid to former Taoiseach John Bruton

Tributes have been paid to former Taoiseach John Bruton who has passed away at the age of 76.

A statement from his family said he passed away in Dublin’s Mater hospital following a long illness.

Bruton first entered the Dáil in 1969, becoming leader of Fine Gael in 1990 and most notably served as Taoiseach of the “Rainbow Coalition” of Fine Gael, Labour and the Democratic Left from December 1994 to June 1997.

Despite losing the 1997 general election, Bruton stayed on as leader of Fine Gael until 2001, and served as TD for Meath until 2004.

Following his spell in Irish politics, he was appointed as the European Union Ambassador to the United States.

Tributes have been paid to Bruton, with MEP Frances Fitzgerald calling him “a superb statesman and a committed European.”

A former vice-president of the European People’s Party, Fine Gael’s grouping in the European Parliament, the party said “his devotion to the values & philosophy of the party will long be remembered.”

BBC journalist Mark Simpson said that Bruton was “the most humble, modest leader of a government that I’ve interviewed.”

Former Fine Gael Leader Alan Dukes told RTÉ that Bruton was “a fountain of good ideas.”

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

Former Minister for Justice Nora Owen told RTÉ “John was crucial to the Good Friday Agreement” and believed he never received due credit for it.

Green Party Minister Malcolm Noonan said “as a statesman, he played an important role in shaping modern Ireland’s global reach.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was “very sad” to hear of Bruton’s passing, and that her thoughts and prayers were with his family.

Bruton presided over a visit by then-Prince of Wales Charles in 1995, which he said was a crucial stepping stone in improving Anglo-Irish relations.

The visit was notable for being the first visit by a member of the British royal family since 1912.

Bruton stayed on as leader of Fine Gael until 2001, until he was disposed of by Michael Noonan ahead of the 2002 general election.