Still a thinker and opinion maker after all these years

POLITICAL parties spew out dozens of press releases and statements every day. The vast majority can be read and binned in one seamless moment.

There are exceptions. Chief among them are those of former Taoiseach John Bruton, now a member of the Fine Gael front bench without portfolio.

Having no specific brief has allowed the former party leader the freedom to write about, and make addresses, on a wide range of issues, from the war in Iraq, the status of Sinn Féin; the future of work, the EU constitution, and long-term issues facing the economy.