Government to put Bruton’s name forward, says Martin

THE Government will support former Fine Gael taoiseach John Bruton and put his name forward for the post of EU President, Foreign Minister Micheál Martin confirmed during the two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels last night.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is today writing to the prime ministers of 10 EU states who are all members of the European People’s Party (EPP) asking for their support.

The main opposition party is a member of the EPP and their support would be vital in securing the post. They hold most seats in the European Parliament and more governments are members than of any of the other groups.

Mr Bruton’s chances however of becoming the first person to hold the new post are slim, with at least three serving prime ministers who are also members of the EPP being touted for the job.

The former leader of the Rainbow Coalition, who is finishing up as EU Ambassador to Washington, took the unorthodox step of writing to EU ambassadors asking that they tell their governments of his interest in the new post.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the first he knew of Mr Bruton’s interest was when the Irish Ambassador to the US told him of the letter towards the end of last week.

He said that if there was support for his candidature, then he would support it.

“As the Irish Government, we welcome his candidature and obviously the Irish Government would support his candidature on the basis that if he gets sufficient support. We will see what emerges,” he said.

However later in the evening Mr Martin was more enthusiastic. “We will obviously support Mr Bruton and put his name forward for the job of president and we would be very happy to have an Irish person in the council,” he said.