 John Bruton is a former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland (the "Celtic Tiger", one of the fastest growing economies in Europe ) and served as President in office of the European Council from 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 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 , 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. John Bruton was elected Taoiseach, (Prime Minister) of Ireland in December 1994. His administration was a three party Coalition Government comprising Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Democratic Left and he held that office until 1997. As Prime Minister, he was responsible for the introduction of the new Corporate Tax Policy (12.5% on all companies) which underlies Ireland 's current economic success. He also was deeply involved in the Irish peace process. He helped develop the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) for public sector reform in Ireland . John Bruton has played a key role in the development of the Euro, and both Finance Minister and Prime Minister, in the extraordinary success of the Irish economy. He can speak with great authority on the economy and on future trends both in Europe and throughout the world. He is currently a member of the Praesidium of the Convention of the Future of Europe, which is drawing up the Constitution for the European Union. He is also a Vice President of the European People's Party.
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