- published: 24 Feb 2009
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Bairbre de Brún (born 10 January 1954) is an Irish politician and former Member of the European Parliament, representing Northern Ireland.
Born in Terenure, Dublin on 10 January 1954, de Brún began her political career as a member of the National Committee Against the H-Blocks & Armagh Gaol in the late 1970s and early 1980s, focusing heavily on the treatment of women in Armagh Gaol. Bairbre de Brún became an early member of Sinn Féin's Ard Chomhairle (English: High Council) and in 1998 became an MLA in the regional government, representing West Belfast. She was Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
By profession, de Brún was a teacher and taught in the Irish-medium education sector in west Belfast. She was also a French and German teacher and is noted for her devotion to the Irish language.[citation needed] She has lived in the Andersonstown area of Belfast since the early 1980s. She is a fluent Irish speaker and an expert in human rights and equality issues. De Brún is also a member of the Sinn Féin negotiating team and traveled internationally on numerous occasions to promote the Irish peace process.