John Bruton

John Bruton
Bruton in 2002
10th Taoiseach
In office
15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997
PresidentMary Robinson
TánaisteDick Spring
Preceded byAlbert Reynolds
Succeeded byBertie Ahern
European Union Ambassador to the United States
In office
24 November 2004 – 31 October 2009
PresidentJosé Manuel Barroso
Preceded byGünter Burghardt
Succeeded byAngelos Pangratis (acting)
Leader of the Opposition
In office
26 June 1997 – 9 February 2001
President
TaoiseachBertie Ahern
Preceded byBertie Ahern
Succeeded byMichael Noonan
In office
20 November 1990 – 15 December 1994
President
Taoiseach
Preceded byAlan Dukes
Succeeded byBertie Ahern
Leader of Fine Gael
In office
21 November 1990 – 9 February 2001
Deputy
Preceded byAlan Dukes
Succeeded byMichael Noonan
Deputy leader of Fine Gael
In office
26 March 1987 – 20 November 1990
LeaderAlan Dukes
Preceded byPeter Barry
Succeeded byPeter Barry
Ministerial offices 1981‍–‍1987
Minister for the Public Service
In office
20 January 1987 – 10 March 1987
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byRuairi Quinn
Succeeded byAlan Dukes
Minister for Finance
In office
14 February 1986 – 10 March 1987
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byAlan Dukes
Succeeded byRay MacSharry
In office
30 June 1981 – 9 March 1982
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byGene Fitzgerald
Succeeded byRay MacSharry
Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism
In office
13 December 1983 – 14 February 1986
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byGarret FitzGerald (acting)
Succeeded byMichael Noonan
Minister for Industry and Energy
In office
14 December 1982 – 13 December 1983
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byAlbert Reynolds
Succeeded byDick Spring
Parliamentary Secretary
1973–1977
Teachta Dála
In office
June 1969 – 31 October 2004
ConstituencyMeath
Personal details
Born(1947-05-18)18 May 1947
Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland
Died6 February 2024(2024-02-06) (aged 76)
Dublin, Ireland
Political partyFine Gael
Other political
affiliations
European People's Party
Spouse
Finola Gill
(m. 1978)
Children4
RelativesRichard Bruton (brother)
EducationClongowes Wood College
Alma mater
WebsiteOfficial website

John Gerard Bruton (18 May 1947 – 6 February 2024) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997 and Leader of Fine Gael from 1990 to 2001. He held cabinet positions between 1981‍ and 1987, including twice as minister for finance. He was Leader of the Opposition from 1990 to 1994 and 1997 to 2001. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Meath from 1969 to 2004.

During his term as Taoiseach, he led a Fine Gael–LabourDemocratic Left coalition, known as the Rainbow Coalition. After stepping down as a TD, he accepted an offer to become European Union Ambassador to the United States, serving from 2004 to 2009.