“Personally, I should like to express my gratitude for the generosity in public life that John Bruton showed.
“Over four decades he connected local, national and international concerns and interests. In this way he made a unique contribution to the common good and to the place of Ireland in the world.
“To his wife Finola, son Matthew and daughters Juliana, Emily and Mary–Elizabeth and his family members, I extend my sympathy on their loss.”