Conor Lenihan
Conor Lenihan (born 3 March, 1963), is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is a Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin South West and is currently the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Conor Lenihan was born in Dublin. He was educated at Belvedere College, University College Dublin where he was chair of the Kevin Barry Cumann, Dublin City University and European Business School. Before his political career Lenihan worked as a senior executive with Esat Digifone (now O2). He also worked as a journalist with the Dublin radio station 98FM. While working in London he covered the House of Commons and lectured on European issues as a member of the European Commission’s Speakers panel. Lenihan was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1997.
In Bertie Ahern's Cabinet reshuffle of 2004 he was appointed to his current position of Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights. Lenihan is also the editor of 'The Nation', the official publication for Fianna Fáil.
Conor Lenihan is the son of former Fianna Fáil Tánaiste Brian Lenihan. He has the distinction of being the third generation of his family to serve in the Irish parliament. His grandfather, Patrick Lenihan served as a TD in the early 1960s (unusually Paddy was elected to parliament while his son was already a member). Conor's aunt, Mary O'Rourke is the current Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad (Senate) while his brother, Brian Lenihan, Jr is also a Minister of State.
Lenihan was involved in some controversy on 18 May, 2005, when off microphone he told opposition TD Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party that he should "stick to the kebabs", a reference to the Turkish workers aided by Higgins who were exploited by their employer "GAMA". Lenihan returned to the Dáil and apologised for the remarks.
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1 Irish Ministers of State are appointed by the government collectively, not by the President of Ireland, as is the case with cabinet ministers. The offices exist in statute law, not the Irish constitution.
References
- [1] Lenihan withdraws 'kebabs' remark in Dáil
This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database