John Bruton

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John Bruton

John Bruton , 1947-, Irish politician, b. Dublin. A lawyer and farm owner, he is a member of the centrist Fine Gael party. Bruton was first elected to the Irish parliament in 1969 and during the 1970s served as a junior minister. In Fine Gael cabinets during the 1980s, he was minister for industry, trade, commerce, and tourism (1982-83) and finance minister (1981-82; 1986-87). He became party leader in 1990 and was subsequently prime minister (1994-97), heading a three-party left-right coalition. As prime minister, Bruton promoted peace in Northern Ireland. Firmly opposed to the IRA, he suggested that only a majority vote by Ulster could lead to its incorporation into Ireland. In 1995, Bruton successfully campaigned for constitutional changes allowing divorce in the Irish Republic. He lost his party leadership post in 2001.

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"John Bruton." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Bruton, John

A Dictionary of Contemporary World History | 2004 | | Â© A Dictionary of Contemporary World History 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Bruton, John (b. 18 May 1947). Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of the Irish Republic 1994–97 Born in Dublin, educated at University College and King's Inns Dublin, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann (the Irish Parliament) in 1969 as its youngest member. He quickly became opposition spokesman for Fine Gael (Agriculture 1972–3, 1977–81). He served as Finance Minister (1981–2, 1986–7), Leader of the House (1982–6), Minister for Industry and Energy (1982–3), and Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce, and Tourism (1983–6). On 20 November 1990 he succeeded Alan Dukes as leader of Fine Gael. Although his party lost the 1994 elections, when its strength in the Dáil declined from 55 to 45 seats, he managed to form a coalition ‘Government of Renewal’ with Labour, which had doubled its strength in the Dáil, and the Democratic Left. His government has been noted for the legalization of divorce, and for tough legislation on crime. Bruton continued the efforts of his predecessor, Reynolds, at finding a negotiated settlement that would bring peace to Northern Ireland. In the 1997 elections, Fine Gael gained nine seats, but his coalition lost overall, as Labour lost half its parliamentary strength. He was succeeded by Bertie Ahern.

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JAN PALMOWSKI. "Bruton, John." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Bruton, John." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (December 7, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-BrutonJohn.html

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Bruton, John." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved December 07, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-BrutonJohn.html

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Bruton, John (Gerard)

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Â© A Dictionary of World History 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Bruton, John (Gerard) (1947– ) Irish Fine Gael statesman, Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland (1994–97).

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Spring surprise? (John Bruton elected Ireland's prime minister) Magazine article from: National Review; 1/23/1995
	Ambassador John Bruton to Visit Providence April 4-5. Business Wire; 4/3/2007
	Ambassador Bruton Testifies on EU Energy Policy Before the Senate Finance Committee. Business Wire; 3/29/2007

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	BRUTON'S LONGEST DAY; KNIVES OUT AT LEINSTER HOUSE: Fine Gael leader on the ropes as angry TDs and senators demand his head.(News) Newspaper article from: The Mirror (London, England); 2/1/2001; 700+ words ; Byline: PAT FLANAGAN JOHN Bruton was looking set to be booted...It is not clear what Mr Bruton will do if he is ousted...had to vote against Mr Bruton but he did it for the good...thing to do to vote against John and I've had mixed feelings...
	The knives are out as Bruton's end draws near: Inside The Dail.(Features) Newspaper article from: The Mirror (London, England); 3/23/1998; ; 700+ words ; ...of blame. But it is Fine Gael and John Bruton who are experiencing the Labour pains...the Blueshirts. In that election, Bruton, who by then had only been at the...after the election put them ahead of Bruton's floundering party. A number...
	Guitarist, songwriter Stephen Bruton dies of cancer Newspaper article from: Press-Telegram Long Beach, CA.; 5/12/2009; ; 609 words ; FORT WORTH, Texas - Stephen Bruton, a real-life guitar hero who...doing what he wanted to do." Bruton will be remembered in Austin and...Asleep at the Wheel guitarist John Nicholas said Bruton was an amazing talent who had an...
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