Bruton philosophical on unsuccessful EU bid

Former Taoiseach, John Bruton, who has returned home to Dunboyne after five years as the EU ambassador to Washington, said this week he was not disappointed that his bid for the Presidency of Europe was unsuccessful. The former Meath TD put his hat in the ring for the post of President of the European Council last month when he wrote to the ambassadors of all 27 EU countries to the United States to announce his interest. However, it was the Belgian Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy, who was appointed the Union's first President on Thursday following weeks of speculation regarding the post. Mr Bruton said that, once it was clear that someone from the existing European Council was interested in the post, it wasn't realistic for anybody who was not on the Council to get the post. "At the time I put my name forward, no existing member had indicated an interest. It was always a long shot, but I felt my experience in Europe and having represented Europe overseas, had given me a good understanding of the role," he said. Mr Bruton said it was great to be back in Ireland and Dunboyne after his five years in Washington, but said he really enjoyed his five-year stint in the US capital. "It was a fantastic experience and I met a lot of Meath people over there," he added. The former Fine Gael leader said he had no interest in returning to domestic politics again but still has a keen interest in it. When asked about the possibility of his brother, Richard Bruton, leading the party some day, he said he would not get involved in internal party business. Mr Bruton is currently in demand for talks and lectures throughout Europe and was speaking in France and Brussels this week and will be travelling to Spain shortly. He said he was looking at various possibilities for the future, including academic work and he is also interested in visiting schools to talk to students about the EU. He is also looking forward to the opening of an art exhibition by his daughter, Emily, and Navan artist Carol O'Connor, winners of the Meath County Council 'Going Solo' award, in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, tomorrow (Thursday).