Bono's address leaves luminaries impressed at EPP congress

Smartly dressed parliamentarians jumped up with their camera phones and pushed to the main stage at Dublin’s convention centre during the gathering of politicians for the European People’s Party congress.

It wasn’t for the words of advice from outgoing European Commission president José Manuel Barroso, nor the speech of determined German chancellor Angela Merkel or even Enda Kenny — President Bono was the main attraction as the two-day congress moved to a close.

As only the U2 frontman can, Bono managed to engage all political sides in the room, while also giving a voice to the voiceless and promoting Ireland’s interests and efforts.