Irish Examiner view: John Bruton was a formidable servant of the Irish nation and of peace

John Bruton RIP

In the course of his career, John Bruton saw at first hand the swings and arrows of political fortune. Picture: Kieran Clancy/Irish Examiner Archive

In his Dáil speech congratulating Bertie Ahern on becoming taoiseach in 1997, John Bruton pointed to the economic boom which the new government would inherit from his administration.

Bruton, who died on Tuesday at the age of 76, would have been forgiven a few regrets that he would not remain as taoiseach when the Celtic Tiger began to roar at the turn of the century.