Brian Lenihan, Jnr
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| Brian Lenihan, Jnr TD |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2008 |
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| Taoiseach | Brian Cowen |
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| Preceded by | Brian Cowen |
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| In office 14 June 2007 – 7 May 2008 |
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| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | Michael McDowell |
| Succeeded by | Dermot Ahern |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2 April 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Brian Lenihan, Snr |
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| Born | 29 May 1959 Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | Patricia Ryan |
| Residence | Castleknock |
| Alma mater | Cambridge University |
| Occupation | Barrister |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Brian Joseph Lenihan SC (Irish: Brian Ó Luineacháin; born 21 May 1959)[1] is an Irish politician. He is currently a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin West and the Minister for Finance.
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[edit] Early & private life
Lenihan was born in Dublin in 1959. He was educated at Belvedere College and attended Trinity College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.[2][3] Lenihan subsequently received a law degree from Cambridge University before returning to King's Inns in Dublin where he trained as a barrister.[2][3] He began lecturing in law at Trinity College in 1984, the same year that he was called to the bar. From 1992 to 1995 he was a member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal and the Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board,[2] and in 1997 he became a senior counsel.
Lenihan is married to Patricia Ryan and they have two children one girl and one boy.[2]
[edit] Early political career
Lenihan is a member of a famous Irish political dynasty.[3] His father Brian Lenihan, Snr was a cabinet minister for over twenty-five years, Tánaiste, and a candidate for President in the 1990 election. His grandfather was Patrick Lenihan who followed his son into the Dáil from 1965 until 1970. Lenihan’s aunt is Mary O'Rourke, a TD for over twenty years and a former cabinet minister. His brother Conor is also a TD and Minister of State. Another brother, Paul is currently practising law in France. Despite this he said on "The Week in Politics" (RTE 8 June 2008) that he resents any implication that he is a member of the political establishment.
Lenihan first became involved in politics in 1996 when he was asked to stand in the Dublin West by-election caused by the death of his father. Noel Dempsey, who was Fianna Fáil's Director of Elections in the contest, did not expect his party to hold the seat,[4] Lenihan secured 252 more first-preference votes than Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party, and was elected on the 11th count.[5] Following his re-election in the 1997 general election Lenihan became chairman of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution. He served in this position until 2002, when he was appointed Minister of State (with special responsibility for Children). He retained the post in 2005 when the government upgraded it to a cross-departmental role allowing all those in government whose job it is to look after the interests of children to work under one aegis. Although not a member of the cabinet, he was allowed to attend cabinet meetings.
[edit] Cabinet career: 2007–present
After the 2007 general election Fianna Fáil were returned to power as part of a coalition with the Progressive Democrats and the Green Party. Lenihan was the only Fianna Fáil TD to be promoted to the cabinet, as Minister for Justice, a post which his father had held from 1964 to 1968. They are the only father-son pair to have held that office. He was promoted to Minister of Finance following the election of Brian Cowen as Taoiseach on the 7 May 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ "Brian Joseph Lenihan", Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
- ^ a b c d Brian Lenihan TD. Fianna Fáil website. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
- ^ a b c Ross, Shane. "Breeding and brains of Brian", Sunday Independent, 11 May 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
- ^ About Noel Dempsey. Noel Dempsey's website. Retrieved on 2008-01-04. “He was Director of Elections for the Dublin West by-election in 1996 and defied the odds by securing the seat for Brian Lenihan. This was the first by election victory for Fianna Fáil since 1985.”
- ^ Dublin West by-election, 2 April 1996. ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
[edit] See also
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Brian Lenihan, Snr (Fianna Fáil) |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Dublin West 1996 – present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Mary Hanafin |
Minister of State (with special responsibility for Children) 2002 – 2007 |
Succeeded by Brendan Smith |
| Preceded by Michael McDowell |
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 2007 – 2008 |
Succeeded by Dermot Ahern |
| Preceded by Brian Cowen |
Minister for Finance 2008 – present |
Incumbent |
