President leads tributes to late Peter Brooke, former Northern Ireland Secretary
The President Michael D. Higgins has led tributes to the former Northern Secretary Peter Brooke, who passed away yesterday, aged 89 years.
Mr Brooke's family came from Rathavan, Co Cavan, and were related to the Brookes of Colebrooke, Co Fermanagh – the Viscounts Brookeborough. His passing has been recorded by international media including the Irish Times, RTÉ and the BBC.
Mr Brooke was Northern Secretary in the early 1990s when he initiated “talks about talks” to secure devolved government. His initiative helped to shape the process that led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
He resigned from the Northern Ireland office in January 1992 after controversially singing a song on the Late Late Show on the night when seven Protestant construction workers were killed by an IRA bomb.
In 1997, he was appointed chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, and was also a member of the British Irish Parliamentary Body. After he stood down as an MP, Mr Brooke was made a life peer in 2001 and took the title Baron Brooke of Sutton Mandeville.
President Higgins praised the late Peter Brooke for the "positive and valuable contribution" he made at a "significant juncture in the peace process".
An tUachtaráin revealed he met Mr Brooke during his time as Secretary of State for National Heritage.
"I recall with great fondness the discussions we had on his ancestor Charlotte Brooke, who published 'Reliques of Irish Poetry' towards the end of the 18th century, which featured Irish poetry both in the Irish language and her own translations in English of each poem. I recall his efforts in finding some of Charlotte Brooke's work in which I assisted him," said President Higgins.
He noted the late Mr Broke's "openness of spirit and charm".
"Among my papers is a lovely handwritten letter, which he sent to me after stepping down as a Member of Parliament, about which he was not only philosophical but humorous.
"What he brought to politics was not just a commitment to the value of politics, but of warm and open relationships. He will be missed," said the President.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin also expressed his condolences to the Brooke family.
said: “Very sorry to hear of the passing of former Secretary of State for NI Peter Brooke. Peter played a pivotal role in the emerging Northern Ireland peace process, helping pave the way for an end to violence. My condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.”
Born in March 1934, Mr Brooke’s father, Henry Brooke, was also a politician and was home secretary under Edward Heath.
Peter Brooke's wife, Lindsay Allinson, and three sons survive him.