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.