RESIGNATION OF FINE GAEL LEADER MR JOHN BRUTON

Early day motion 345, tabled 13 February 2001 by Harry Barnes (Labour). Signed by 18 members.

That this House notes with regret the resignation of Mr John Bruton TD, the leader of the Fine Gael Opposition Party in the Irish Dail; believes that Mr Bruton's principled respect for good relations and equality with unionists in Northern Ireland during his 10 year tenure as Fine Gael Leader, including his period as Taoiseach from 1995 to 1997, made a considerable impact on the peace process; further believes that Mr Bruton had demonstrated what the Irish writer, Eoghan Harris calls 'Good Authority', which is the act of putting yourself in one's enemies' shoes and leading one's own followers away from their prejudices; and urges the media to pay more attention to the internal political dynamics of the Republic of Ireland, which is one of our closest neighbours and with which we have so much shared history as well as considerable cultural connections, and whose internal politics affect those of Northern Ireland.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 2.