John Deasy (Fine Gael politician)

For the 19th century politician, see John Deasy (MP).
John Deasy
TD

Deasy in 2015
Teachta Dála
Assumed office
May 2002
Constituency Waterford
Personal details
Born (1967-10-08) 8 October 1967
Dungarvan, Waterford, Ireland
Nationality Irish
Political party Fine Gael
Spouse(s) Maura Derrane
Children 1
Alma mater Mercyhurst University,
University College Cork
Website www.johndeasytd.com

John Deasy (born 8 October 1967) is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He is a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Waterford constituency since 2002.[1]

Early and personal life

Deasy was brought up in Stradbally and Dungarvan, County Waterford. He was educated at Coláiste na Rinne, An Rinn, County Waterford, and at St. Augustine's College in Dungarvan. Deasy studied at Mercyhurst College, Erie, Pennsylvania,[2] on a golfing scholarship where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Communications.

In 1990, Deasy was employed as a legislative assistant in the United States Senate, handling trade and foreign affairs for Republican Senator John Heinz until Heinz's death in 1991.[3] The following year he became manager of public affairs for a multinational waste company. Deasy was also legislative assistant in the United States House of Representatives, handling trade, foreign affairs, energy, environment, banking, economic development, immigration and human rights for Representative, Ronald Machtley.[2]

He returned to the Ireland in 1997,[3] and studied at University College Cork, qualifying with a degree in law. In May 2005, Deasy married the RTÉ presenter, Maura Derrane. The couple have a son, Cal, born in 2014.[3]

Political career

In 1999 he embarked on a political career and was elected to Waterford County Council and Dungarvan Town Council.[2] At the 2002 general election he was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time, succeeding his father, former Minister for Agriculture Austin Deasy who was retiring.[4] He was appointed spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Law Reform by the new leader, Enda Kenny. He was sacked from the Fine Gael front bench in 2004 for smoking tobacco in the members bar at Leinster House, the seat of the Irish parliament, just days after a nationwide ban on smoking in the workplace had come into effect. In October 2004 he failed to return to the front bench in the reshuffle, but was appointed Chairman of the Dáil European Affairs Committee.

In January 2007 he announced his intention to challenge Enda Kenny's leadership of Fine Gael should the party fail to enter government after the 2007 general election. Fine Gael did not enter government, nor did Deasy carry out his challenge. He served as party Deputy spokesperson on Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Overseas Development Aid from 2007 to 2010. Having topped the poll in Waterford at the 2011 general election, he is vice-chair of the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mr. John Deasy". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "John Deasy TD". Fine Gael website. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 "No regrets: 'I won't stand idly by while my party suffers'". Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "John Deasy". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
Oireachtas
Preceded by
Austin Deasy
(Fine Gael)		 Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Waterford
2002–present 		Incumbent
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