Mary Mitchell O'Connor
| Mary Mitchell O'Connor TD | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation | |
|
Assumed office 6 May 2016 | |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | Richard Bruton |
| Teachta Dála | |
|
Assumed office February 2011 | |
| Constituency | Dún Laoghaire |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
10 June 1959 Milltown, Galway, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Carysfort College |
| Website |
www |
Mary Mitchell O'Connor (born 10 June 1959) is an Irish Fine Gael politician.[1][2] She was elected as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency at the 2011 general election.[3] She was a Progressive Democrats County Councillor before joining Fine Gael in 2007.[4] She was appointed Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in May 2016.
Early life and education
She was born in Milltown, County Galway. She graduated from Carysfort College and worked as a teacher. She was appointed principal of Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne, County Meath. In 1999, she became school principal at The Harold School, a position she held until her election to the Dáil.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: 2004–2011
In 2004, as a Progressive Democrats (PD) candidate, she was elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.[4] As a Councillor, she campaigned against the reintroduction of university fees, against the budget-related increase in pupil-teacher ratios. She also took part in the Sandycove Tidy Towns campaign.
In 2006, when the Maritime Museum closed, she called on the council to financially support it.[5]
In December 2007, she resigned from the Progressive Democrats and joined Fine Gael.[6] Welcoming her to the party, Enda Kenny said that it was "the first move by a PD public representative to join an alternative party since the general election". Mitchell O'Connor said that she "made a decision on how best to represent the people that elected me".[7] In 2008–09, she was Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Area Committee for Transport, Economic Development and Planning.[8]
In June 2009, she was re-elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. She was the Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Area Committee for Environment, Housing, Culture, Community Development and Amenities.[8] She has led campaigns to protect public amenities in Dún Laoghaire, including public access to the sea front, public transport, and she campaigned to prevent the acquisition of Dún Laoghaire baths by private companies. She has also campaigned against high-rise development which was regarded by many local people as inappropriate for Dún Laoghaire. In 2010, she led the Save the Sandycove Green Campaign against adding more parking spaces to Sandycove Green. She called for the introduction of higher standards of building regulations, in order to increase the quality of new buildings, at the same time protecting the environment.
Dáil Éireann: 2011–present
In December 2010, she was selected as a Fine Gael candidate for the Dún Laoghaire constituency.[9]
Mitchell O'Connor was elected as a TD for the Dún Laoghaire constituency at the 2011 general election. The newly elected Fine Gael TD surprised staff at Leinster House on 2 March 2011 by driving her campaign car across the pedestrian plinth in the Dáil car park and down the steps. The plinth has a ramp at one side to facilitate wheelchair access, but steps at the other end. The incident was witnessed by several journalists and was reported on by the RTÉ evening news.[10]
On 8 June 2015, Mitchell O'Connor was selected by Dún Laoghaire Fine Gael as their candidate to contest the next general election at a selection convention. She defeated councillors Barry Ward and Maria Bailey, daughter of John Bailey.[11] She came through and, after a delay due to talks on government formation, was appointed Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in May 2016.
Campaigns and policies
Mitchell O'Connor is an advocate for women's rights. In August 2010, she called for a reform of Dáil Éireann, so that women can work efficiently there.[12] She currently campaigns for the eviction of men who are perpetrators of domestic violence.[13]
Mitchell O'Connor turned the Leinster House pink the following Friday in aid of breast cancer.[14]
Personal life
She lives with her two sons in Cabinteely, Dublin.
References
- ↑ "Ms. Mary Mitchell O'Connor". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
- ↑ Collins, Stephen (2011). Nealon's Guide to the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 107. ISBN 9780717150595.
- ↑ "Boyd-Barret takes last Dún Laoghaire seat". The Irish Times. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- 1 2 "Mary Mitchell O'Connor". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ↑ "Minutes of Meeting of County Council". Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. 13 March 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ↑ Brennan, Michael (11 December 2007). "Defection of O'Connor to Fine Gael is a fresh blow for the PDs". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
- ↑ "Enda Kenny Welcomes Former PD Cllr Mary Mitchell O'Connor to Fine Gael Party". City Local. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
- 1 2 "Mary Mitchell O'Connor". Electoral candidates. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ↑ "Fine Gael urges Ross to contest election". The Irish Times. 13 January 2011.
- ↑ "Fine Gael and Labour briefed on economy". RTÉ News. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ↑ O'Connor, Niall (8 June 2015). "Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O'Connor selected to represent party in Dun Laoghaire". Irish Independent.
- ↑ "Mum Olwyn is right to quit the Dail, insists Fox". Evening Herald. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- ↑ "Council powerless to evict perpetrators of domestic violence". Dublin People. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
- ↑ "Dáil turns pink for cancer awareness". RTÉ News. 15 July 2011.
External links
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil) |
Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Dún Laoghaire 2011–present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Richard Bruton |
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation 2016–present |
Incumbent |