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John Gerard BrutonIrish politician
Date of Birth: 18.05.1947
Country:  Ireland |
Content:
- John Bruton: Irish Politician and Diplomat
- Political Career
- Shadow Cabinet and Government
- Minister for Finance and the Ministerial Crisis
- Leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach
- Ambassador to the United States and Later Years
John Bruton: Irish Politician and Diplomat
Early Life and EducationJohn Gerard Bruton was born into a wealthy Catholic farming family in Dunboyne, County Meath, on May 18, 1947. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College, a Jesuit boarding school. Bruton later attended University College Dublin (UCD), where he earned a BA with honors and qualified as a barrister at King's Inns, but never practiced law.
Political Career
Bruton was elected to the 22nd Dáil Éireann in 1969 as a Fine Gael TD for Meath. He was the youngest Dáil member at that time, just 22 years old. In 1973, he doubled his vote, contributing to Fine Gael's victory in a National Coalition with the Labour Party. Bruton was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce and to the Minister for Education in 1973, serving until 1977.
Shadow Cabinet and Government
After Fine Gael's defeat in the 1977 general election, Bruton was appointed Spokesperson for Agriculture by the new leader, Garret FitzGerald. He later became Spokesperson for Finance, delivering a particularly effective speech in the Dáil in response to the 1980 budget. Bruton played a prominent role in Fine Gael's campaign in the 1981 general election, which resulted in another coalition with the Labour Party, with FitzGerald as Taoiseach. At just 34, Bruton became Minister for Finance, the most senior ministerial position.
Minister for Finance and the Ministerial Crisis
In 1982, Bruton's budget was defeated in the Dáil after independent socialist TD Jim Kemmy voted against it. This led to the collapse of the government. FitzGerald sought and was granted a dissolution of the Dáil by the President.
Leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach
Bruton was elected Leader of Fine Gael in 1990. He led the party to victory in the 1994 general election, becoming Taoiseach until 1997. During his tenure, he led the first "Rainbow Coalition" government, formed by Fine Gael, the Labour Party, and the Democratic Left.
Ambassador to the United States and Later Years
In 2004, Bruton was appointed European Union Ambassador to the United States. He served in this role until 2009 and was a Vice-President of the European People's Party (EPP) for a time. Bruton retired from domestic politics in 2004 and died at the age of 76 on February 6, 2024, after a prolonged illness.
