EU post an honour for the State

THE appointment of former Taoiseach John Bruton as head of the European Commission’s delegation to the United States has been warmly welcomed as an honour both for this country and for Mr Bruton himself.

In effect, he will be the European Union's first ambassador to the United States.

Mr Bruton, who is expected to take up the new position in November, has the reputation of a political heavyweight.

He was the youngest member of the Dáil when he was first elected in 1969. He served with distinction in four different Irish governments under Liam Cosgrave as a junior Minister for Education and

industry and commerce in the 1970s, and in senior positions under Garret FitzGerald as both Minister for Finance and Minister for Industry and Commerce during the 1980s.

He had the somewhat dubious political distinction of introducing both budgets on which the two governments headed by Dr FitzGerald fell. The second of those budgets in 1987, for which he never received due credit, formed the basis for the economic reforms that led to the growth of the Celtic Tiger economy.

During 10 years as leader of Fine Gael from 1991 through the turn of the millennium, Mr Bruton took an active part in the meetings of leaders of the

European Christian Democratic parties, and he presided with distinction over Ireland's Presidency of the EU during the second half of 1996.

Notwithstanding his enormous political experience, he is still a relatively young and welcomes the challenges presented by his forthcoming appointment, which he described as the most interesting job in the world.

It will entail working closely with the 25 ambassadors of the EU member states.

His appointment is indicative of the commission's desire for a degree of political clout to supplement the influence of foreign service personnel representing the various EU member states.

It is further evidence of this country's international influence, which far outweighs our economic clout or military might.

This figurative ability to punch above our weight had been evident in the election of Pat Cox as President of the European Parliament, as well as the earlier elections of FH Boland as President of the Assembly of the United Nations, Sean Lester as Secretary General of the League of Nations, and Eamon de Valera as President of both the Assembly and the Council of the League of Nations.

The appointment of Mr Bruton is being made at particularly sensitive time when relations between the United States and some of our European counterparts have been particularly strained in the wake of the war in Iraq.

He identified his main priority as improving communications between the EU and the USA, by securing agreement on rules and procedures to sanction the use of military force.

He also noted the need to resolve trade differences, to deal with the ongoing problems of arms sales, and to agree on measures to tackle the problems of global warming.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern clearly facilitated Mr Bruton's appointment, which has been warmly welcomed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen. Such commendable co-operation, which affords relief from the posturing squabbles of Leinster House, enhances both our politics and the country's international standing.