Bruton - our loss is EU’s gain

JOHN BRUTON’S departure from Ireland this week as EU ambassador to the USA signals an opportunity for the EU to forge new links with the US and hopefully to start a process of resolving some of their differences.

His appointment as one of the EU’s highest ranking officials is different in a number of respects; it is unusual for an active politician to move into the diplomatic corps, and it is even more unusual for an opposition politician to be promoted to such a high office on the recommendation of his national government.

But this appointment reflects his service to Irish and European politics since 1969 and the respect which colleagues of all parties and none have for the former Meath deputy.

After being elected leader of Fine Gael in 1990 Bruton took over a party which had been through a terrible presidential election campaign and had suffered two consecutive general election defeats.

In the aftermath of the 1992 general election his political obituary, and that of his party, was been written, but little did those who supported him think that within two years he would be enjoying the highest personal satisfaction ratings of any Taoiseach since polls began.

Most commentators agree that he took to the office of Taoiseach like a duck to water. He led a hugely successful EU presidency, oversaw the early days of the Celtic Tiger, provided strong leadership to a three-party coalition, and forged new links for Ireland with EU and US leaders.

On the steps of the Bank of Ireland in College Green in Dublin, US President Bill Clinton spoke of John Bruton as one of the world’s most able leaders, and when he addressed a joint session of the US Congress he received a hero’s welcome from the world’s most powerful legislators.

After being removed as leader of Fine Gael his focus turned to matters European. He has always been unapologetic for his commitment to the European ideal and has stated time and again that if the EU is worth benefiting from, it is worth defending.

His appointment as vice-president of the Convention on Europe proved to be an excellent one, and EU leaders recently adopted the new EU Constitution that he helped draft, and worked so diligently for.

John Bruton has a massive task effectively to represent the newly expanded 25-member EU in a country that has become sceptical and almost hostile towards ‘Old Europe.’

But as anyone within Fine Gael will know, John Bruton is a fighter and while he will be undoubtedly missed by the party, we are all aware that he will rise to the new challenge in his characteristic energetic fashion. His appointment will present further opportunities for Ireland and will open more doors in Washington for one of the EU’s smallest states.

It is often said that Ireland punches above its weight on the international stage, particularly in the USA. With John Bruton as the new EU ambassador this trend is set to continue.

Cllr Patrick O’Donovan

Churchtown Road

Newcastle West

Co Limerick