EACCNY Pulse: Transatlantic Business Insights

23. Brexit Musing: Last Word with John Bruton, Former Irish PM & EU Ambassador to the U.S.

January 01, 2021 EACCNY Season 1 Episode 23
EACCNY Pulse: Transatlantic Business Insights
23. Brexit Musing: Last Word with John Bruton, Former Irish PM & EU Ambassador to the U.S.
Show Notes

This final "Brexit Musing" episode features John Bruton, the former Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) and former EU Ambassador to the United States who will share his wisdom on what Brexit means and his thoughts moving forward with regard to not only the UK and EU, but also the U.S.

John Bruton served as Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997.

He was born in 1947 and graduated from University College Dublin in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and politics. He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1972. He holds Honorary Degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland, the University of Missouri, and the National University of Ireland.

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1969 at the age of 22 as a member of the Fine Gael Party, joining its front bench in 1972, becoming Party Leader in 1990, and leading it into government in 1994. He served as Minister for Finance (1981-1982 and 1986-1987), Minister for Industry & Energy (1982-1983), Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce & Tourism (1983-1986) and was a Junior Minister from 1973-1977.

As Taoiseach he was deeply involved in the Northern Irish Peace Process leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. While Taoiseach, he presided over the successful Irish EU Presidency in 1996 and and chaired the European Council meeting that year which finalised the Stability and Growth Pact underpinning Economic and Monetary Union and the management of the Euro.

He was appointed EU Ambassador to the United States in October 2004, and served for five years.

He was a member of the Praesidium of the Convention that drafted the proposed European Constitution, signed in Rome on October 29, 2004, which is the base for the Lisbon Treaty now in force.

Currently he is a member of the boards of Ingersoll Rand plc, the Irish Diaspora Loan Origination Fund, and Smart Invest ltd, and a number on non profit boards.

He also has a unique insight into the processes surrounding the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, and of the economic policy of the Euro.

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