The will-he-won't-he controversy over Brooks's gigs has dominated the news agenda in Ireland over the last few days, pushing an important cabinet reshuffle down the television, radio and newspapers schedules.
"He enjoys controversy, he certainly likes a debate".
Not only does he stoke controversy, he does so with perfect timing for the conservative movement.
The obituaries seem intent on noting that he "aroused controversy," that he has his detractors.
Incredibly secretive – perhaps understandably in Russia's recent era – he courted controversy when he threw rouble notes out of his office window to celebrate a colleague's bonus.
There he generated controversy when he printed photos of a 17-year-old Jessica Biel that were revealing.
He expects controversy and criticism, and he has had more than his share.
He courted controversy in September 2012 when he was arrested for public intoxication and vandalism.
At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City he aroused controversy by publicly predicting that he would capture six gold medals.
Although he has attracted controversy, he does not lack courage.
He graduated, in 2013, from Towson University, in Maryland, where he attracted controversy for forming a "white student union".
