Paul Bradford
| Paul Bradford | |
|---|---|
| Senator | |
|
In office September 2002 – April 2016 | |
|
In office April 1987 – June 1989 | |
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Teachta Dála | |
|
In office June 1989 – May 2002 | |
| Constituency | Cork East |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1 December 1963 Mallow, Cork, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Renua Ireland (since March 2015) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (2013–15), Fine Gael (until July 2013) |
| Spouse(s) | Lucinda Creighton |
| Children | 1 |
| Website |
paulbradford |
Paul Bradford (born 1 December 1963) is an Irish politician and former member of Seanad Éireann.[1]
Early and private life
Bradford was born in Mourne Abbey near Mallow, County Cork in 1963. He was educated at the Patrician Academy in Mallow. He is married to Renua Ireland leader and ex-TD Lucinda Creighton.[2]
Political career
Bradford became involved in politics at a young age, becoming the youngest-ever member of Cork County Council when he was elected in 1985 at the age of 21. Two years later in 1987 he was elected to the 18th Seanad on the Agricultural Panel, becoming the youngest-ever elected Senator. As a member of Seanad Éireann he was Fine Gael spokesperson on Communications and Energy. At the 1989 general election he was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time for the Cork East constituency.[3] In 1994 he joined John Bruton's front bench as spokesperson on Defence and the Marine.
In 1994, Fine Gael came to power and Bradford became Co-Chair of the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly. In 1997 the party was back in opposition and he was appointed spokesperson on Health, Food Safety and Older People. In 2000 Bradford became spokesperson on Youth Affairs, School Transport and Adult Education. Under Michael Noonan's leadership he was promoted to party Chief Whip, in which position he served until he lost his seat at the 2002 general election. He was subsequently elected to Seanad Éireann by the Agricultural Panel. He was appointed Fine Gael spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Seanad.
He was an unsuccessful candidate in Cork East for Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election but was re-elected to the Seanad. He was again re-elected to the Seanad in 2011. He was the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Justice until July 2013.
Bradford was expelled from the Fine Gael parliamentary party on 16 July 2013 when he defied the party whip by voting against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013.[4] On 13 September 2013 he and six other expellees formed the Reform Alliance, described as a "loose alliance" rather than a political party.[5]
He joined the "Renua Ireland" project upon its foundation in March 2015, though, like all that grouping's candidates, failed to win a seat at the 2016 general election.
References
- ↑ "Mr. Paul Bradford". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
- ↑ "Creighton ties the knot in low-key ceremony". Irish Independent. 2 May 2011.
- ↑ "Paul Bradford". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
- ↑ "Seanad passes abortion legislation second stage". RTÉ News. 16 July 2013.
- ↑ "The politicians formerly known as the Fine Gael rebels are now the Reform Alliance". TheJournal.ie. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
External links
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Patrick Hegarty (Fine Gael) |
Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Cork East 1989–2002 |
Succeeded by Joe Sherlock (Labour Party) |