Elaine Loughlin: Bruton's rainbow government failed to cash in on its own pot of gold

John Bruton, centre, with Proinsias De Rossa, leader of the Democratic Left Party, and Labour Party leader Dick Spring. Picture: Billy HIggins

As former taoiseach John Bruton is laid to rest today, he leaves behind the legacy of a star-studded Rainbow government that created a rule book on how to run a coalition.

Three decades on, Leo Varadkar (who now has one of his biggest election calls to make) could also learn a lot about timing from his predecessor, who despite growing the economy, paving the way for peace on the island, and bringing about social change, failed to secure another term in office.