John Bruton
John Bruton was Leader of Fine Gael from 1990, resigning as Leader on January 31, 2001. John Bruton was elected Taoiseach by Dail Eireann on 15th December 1994 to 1997. His administration was a three-party Coalition Government comprising of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Democratic Left.
As Prime Minister, Mr. John Bruton was responsible for the introduction of the new Corporate Tax policy (12.5% on all companies), which underlies Ireland's current economic success. In 1994, the year when he became Prime Minister, the Irish economy was growing at 5.8 %, the budget deficit was IR , £533 million, inflation was 2.4%, and unemployment was 14.7%. In 1997, the year he left office, the economy was growing at 10.7%, the budget deficit had become a surplus of IR,386 million, inflation was 1.5%, and unemployment was 10.3%. On the basis of these policies, unemployment has since fallen to 3.9%.
Prior to that, Mr. John Bruton was President in Office of the European Council, June - December 1996. In this capacity, he presided over the Irish Presidency of the European Union, during which Ministers in his Government held the Chair of all E.U. Ministerial meetings. At the Dublin E.U. Summit, he helped finalize the Growth and Stability Pact which governs the management of the single European Currency - the Euro.
During this period he also represented the European Union as President of the Council at Summit meetings with the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Prime Minister of Japan, the Prime Minister of Korea, the Prime Minister of China, the Prime Minister of Israel and Chairman Arafat of the Palestinian Authority.
Mr. John Bruton was also Minister of Finance, February 1986 - March 1987, Minister for the Public Service January - March 1987, Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism, 1983-1986, and Minster for Finance, June 1981 - March 1982. He was also Leader of the House, 1982-1986, with responsibility for implementing reforms in the Dail. John Bruton also was deeply involved in the Irish peace process. He helped develop the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) for public sector reform in Ireland. Additionally, Mr. John Bruton was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, 1973-1977, and to the Minister for Industry and Commerce 1975-1977.
Mr. John Bruton was first elected to the Dail in 1969, becoming the youngest member of the 19th Dail. During his career with Fine Gael he was Party Spokesperson on Northern Ireland, Deputy Leader of Fine Gael 1987-90, Front Bench Spokesperson on Education 1989-90, Industry and Commerce 1987-89, Finance 1981-1982, Agriculture, 1972-1973 and 1977-January 1981.
Mr. John Bruton was also a member of the Dail Committee on Procedures and Privileges, 1969-1973 and 1983-1990, of the British-Irish Parliamentary Body, 1993-1994 and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
His publications are: "Reform of the Dail" 1980, "A Better Way to Plan the Nation's Finances" 1981, "Real Issues or Mock Battles" Furrow Magazine 1986.
Currently, Mr. John Bruton is Vice President of the European People's Party (1999 to date). In this capacity he is co chairing a study of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy of the E.U. in the context of concerns about farm incomes, food safety and environmental protection. He is also Vice President of the Christian Democrat International (1998 to date).
Mr. John Bruton's educational background includes: Education: St. Dominic's College, Cabra, Dublin, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, Co. Kildare, University College Dublin and Kings Inn Dublin (BA BL).
