John Bruton, the European Union Ambassador to the U.S., will speak Tuesday, April 24, at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Samford University School of Business. The 7:30 a.m. event at the Marriott Grandview is open to the public, but preregistration with the business school is required. Register online or call 205 726-2364.
Bruton served as prime minister of Ireland during 1994-97, a period during which the Irish economy grew by 8.7 percent annually. Prior to becoming prime minister, he was minister for finance, minister for industry and energy and minister for trade, commerce and tourism.
Bruton was active in the government of Ireland from 1969 until his retirement from domestic politics in 2004 to accept his European Union post. He has traveled widely in the U.S. explaining the role of the European Union and its relationship to the U.S. economy.
The 27-nation European Union is represented in Washington by an ambassadorial Delegation headed by Bruton.