Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton (born March 1, 1953) is an Irish Fine Gael politician and economist. He is a Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin North Central, Fine Gael Spokesperson for Finance and Deputy-Leader of the Party.
Richard Bruton was born in Dublin and was educated at Clongowes Wood College, University College Dublin and Oxford. Bruton was first elected to Seanad Éireann in 1982 as a Senator. In 1982 he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD. From 1986 to 1987 he served as Minister for State at the Department of Industry and Commerce. He was then appointed Opposition Spokesperson for Enterprise & Employment. Following the 1994 general election Bruton helped negotiate the Rainbow Coalition between Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left. In that government his brother, John Bruton, became Taoiseach. Richard Bruton took the highest ranking Fine Gael ministerial position, serving as Minister for Enterprise and Employment. Following the disastrous results of Fine Gael in the 2002 general election Bruton was one of the few front bench TD's to retain his seat. He subsequently became deputy leader of Fine Gael and is currently the Spokesperson for Finance.
Political Career
| Preceded by: Charlie McCreevy | Minister for Enterprise & Employment 1994–1997 | Succeeded by: Mary Harney |