Following the 2016 general election , there was a delay in government formation . On 9 May 2016 , after talks had concluded on forming a new government , Enda Kenny appointed Bruton as Minister for Education and Skills . Bruton launched the first Action Plan for Education in September 2016 . The Plan 's high level ambition is to make Ireland 's education and training system the best in Europe by 2026 . Following the election of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach , Bruton was reappointed as Minister for Education and Skills on 14 June 2017 . After Minister Denis Naughten 's resignation from government due to controversy surrounding the National Broadband Plan , Bruton became Acting Minister for Communications , Climate Action and Environment on 11 October 2018
a delay in government formation
2016 Irish government formation
Richard Bruton