Bairbre de Brún facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bairbre de Brún
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| Member of the European Parliament for Northern Ireland |
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| In office 13 June 2004 – 3 May 2012 |
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| Preceded by | John Hume |
| Succeeded by | Martina Anderson |
| Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety | |
| In office 1999–2002 |
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| Preceded by | Office Created |
| Succeeded by | Michael McGimpsey |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for West Belfast |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 13 June 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Sue Ramsey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 January 1954 Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
| Profession | Politician, teacher |
Bairbre de Brún, born on January 10, 1954, is a former politician from Ireland. She was a member of the Sinn Féin political party. From 2004 to 2012, she served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Northern Ireland.
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Early Life and Career
Bairbre de Brún was born in Dublin, Ireland. Before becoming a politician, she worked as a teacher. She taught in schools in Belfast where lessons were given in the Irish language. She also taught French and German. She is known for her strong support of the Irish language. Since the early 1980s, she has lived in the Andersonstown area of Belfast.
Starting in Politics
Ms. de Brún began her political work in the late 1970s. She focused on improving the treatment of women in prisons. She quickly became an important member of the Sinn Féin party's main council. In 1998, she became a MLA for West Belfast in the Northern Ireland Assembly. She also served as the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Working for Peace and Rights
Bairbre de Brún is an expert in human rights and equality issues. She was part of the Sinn Féin team that worked for peace in Ireland. She traveled to many countries to promote the Irish peace process. This process aimed to bring lasting peace to Northern Ireland.
Role in the European Parliament
In 2004, Bairbre de Brún was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). She was one of two Sinn Féin MEPs at that time. She was also the first Sinn Féin politician to represent Northern Ireland in the European Parliament. She worked with a group called the European United Left - Nordic Green Left.
Key Focus Areas
In the European Parliament, Ms. de Brún was a member of the Environment and Petitions Committee. She also served as a substitute member of the Regional Development Committee. She focused a lot on environmental issues. For example, she was part of an EU group that attended the 2011 Durban Climate Change Conference. She believed that more action was needed to protect the environment.
Supporting the Irish Language
Bairbre de Brún was a strong supporter of the Irish language. She often used Irish as her main language when speaking in the European Parliament. She rarely gave speeches in English. This showed her dedication to promoting the language on a global stage.
Leaving Parliament
In the 2009 European elections, she received the most votes in the Northern Ireland constituency. This was a first for a nationalist or republican party. She resigned from the European Parliament in May 2012 for personal reasons. Martina Anderson, another MLA for Foyle, took her place.
