Irish political life is now in need of more of the good guys like Bruton

THE Irish public has a very low opinion of politicians.

They tend to blame them for every little wrong in their lives and believe they are either corrupt or only in it for themselves. They are wrong on both counts.

In my over 40 years in journalism, and dealing with elected representatives from across all parties, the vast majority I ever met genuinely want to improve the lives of their friends, neighbours and fellow citizens.

The antics of a handful like Charlie Haughey and Ray Burke gave politics a bad name.

And, unfortunately rightly or wrongly, mud sticks.

John Bruton, the former leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach who died last week, was one of the good guys.

He was as honest as the day was long and cared passionately about this country.

I didn’t agree with all the things he did like putting the VAT on children’s shoes.

But his contribution behind the scenes to the Norther Ireland peace process was phenomenal.

Bruton had a wonderful loud laugh, and although a very serious man when it came to politics, he had a great sense of humour.

I often met him in the corridors of power in Leinster House and no matter what was going on he would always stop to say hello and put a smile on your face with his bellowing giggles.

No matter what, he always wanted to do the right thing.

His three-year Rainbow Coalition from 1995 to 1997 was one of the better administrations we had.

The 1980s was a time of great instability with little money, high unemployment and record emigration.

Many of my generation headed off and never came back.

We had various general elections with power swinging from Garret Fitzgerald to Haughey. Bruton came in just at the right time in the 1990s and steadied the ship. He should have been in office for far longer but took a gamble going to the country in 1997 and lost.

Even though his rainbow coalition with Labour and the Democratic Left were favourites to win, they lost and Bertie Ahern became Taoiseach.

Ahern did of course get the Good Friday Agreement over the line in 1998 and did a great job.

But Bruton had also played a powerful part building bridges with unionists during his time in office.

One of the great occasions in Northern Ireland which helped build the peace was President Bill Clinton visit to Belfast and Derry in 1995.

It was recalled in the smash hit TV series Derry Girls.

The US President was particularly moved by children he met, nine-year-old Catherine Hamill and David Sterritt, who told their heart-moving stories of growing up with violence.

I later brought both kids to America to meet Clinton in the Oval Office.

Little Catherine had no passport and Bruton organised it for her.

She and her family came to Dublin to meet him first before going to Washington to switch on the Christmas lights.

Bruton being the great man he was, was wonderful with them and made them all feel at ease.

Like Ahern all he ever wanted was an end to the Troubles as it was then called and to see the island of Ireland at peace.

Thankfully he lived to see it and his political career did not end in failure. We have a lot to thank Bruton for.

The country turned an economic corner in the late 1990s because his Government had put the necessary economic fundamentals in place.

We need more people like Bruton in politics today who believe in things such as duty and public service.

Sadly many out there with bags of talent and intelligence are reluctant to take the first step and enter the political arena because of the abuse they might receive from the cesspit called social media.

I liked Bruton because he was one of the good guys and he was as honest as the day was long.

He was as honest as the day was long and cared passionately