Richard Bruton (66) has been a consistent poll topper in Dublin Bay North. As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment since 2018 following the resignation of Denis Naughten, he signed the controversial €3 billion National Broadband Plan deal to provide high speed broadband to remote areas, after years of controversy.
He served as minister for education and skills from 2016 to 2018 when he began the process of excluding religion as a criterion for pupil selection in most schools.
Low-key, calm and a prodigious constituency worker, he is a skilled debater whose restrained style has often closed down controversial debates.
In 2010 he failed in his heave attempt against Enda Kenny’s leadership but was appointed in 2011 as minister for jobs, enterprise and innovation.
First elected to the Dáil in 1982, he has held the seat since. An economist with a master’s degree from Oxford University, he is married with four children and lists cooking – including marmalade-making – as a hobby.
