Damien English
Damien English (born 21 February 1978) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses since July 2020. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Meath West constituency since 2007, and previously from 2002 to 2007 for the Meath constituency. He previously served as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development from 2017 to 2020, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal from 2016 to 2017 and Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation from 2014 to 2016.[1]
Damien English | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses | |
Assumed office 1 July 2020 | |
Taoiseach | Micheál Martin |
Preceded by | Pat Breen |
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development | |
In office 14 June 2017 – 27 June 2020 | |
Taoiseach | Leo Varadkar |
Preceded by | New office |
Succeeded by | Office abolished |
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal | |
In office 19 May 2016 – 14 June 2017 | |
Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
Preceded by | Paudie Coffey |
Succeeded by | Office abolished |
Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation | |
In office 14 July 2014 – 19 May 2016 | |
Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
Preceded by | Seán Sherlock |
Succeeded by | John Halligan |
Teachta Dála | |
Assumed office May 2007 | |
Constituency | Meath West |
In office May 2002 – May 2007 | |
Constituency | Meath |
Personal details | |
Born | Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland | 21 February 1978
Nationality | Irish |
Political party | Fine Gael |
Spouse(s) | Laura Kenny (m. 2007) |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | |
Website | damienenglish |
Early and personal life
English was educated at Bohermeen National School in County Meath, and went on to attend Kells Community School. He further studied and part qualified with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants at the Dublin Institute of Technology and Dublin Business School. He is married to Laura, and they have one son and three daughters.
Political career
English first entered politics when he was elected to Meath County Council in 1999, for the local electoral area of Navan, where he was the youngest council member.
At the 2002 general election, he was elected to the 29th Dáil as a Fine Gael TD for the Meath constituency, along with his Fine Gael colleague John Bruton.[2] He was the youngest TD in the 29th Dáil, aged 24 years.
English was elected secretary of the Fine Gael parliamentary party in September 2002, and became the party deputy Spokesperson for Arts, Sports and Tourism. In October 2004, he was appointed deputy Spokesperson for Justice and Community Affairs, with special responsibility for Drugs, Alcohol and Crime Prevention. He was a member of the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly from 2002 to 2007. He served as deputy Spokesperson on Enterprise with special responsibility for Labour Affairs and Small Business from 2007 to 2010.
In January 2007, English was linked to a statement by fellow Fine Gael TD John Deasy, regarding Deasy's intention to run for the leadership of the party if Enda Kenny failed to bring the party into government following the 2007 general election. English dismissed these claims as being false.[3]
He was party deputy Spokesperson for Finance, with special responsibility for Banking and Credit from October 2010 to March 2011.
On 15 July 2014, he was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for Skills, Research and Innovation at the Departments of Education and Skills and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.[4]
He served as |Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal from May 2016 to June 2017. He served as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development from May 2017 to June 2020.[5]
Following the formation of the Government of the 33rd Dáil, he was appointed Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses.
References
- "Damien English". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- "Damien English". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- "Calls for election focus within Fine Gael". RTÉ News. 5 January 2007.
- "Simon Harris among new Ministers of State". RTÉ News. 15 July 2014.
- "Revealed: These are the Junior Ministers of the 32nd Dáil - Independent.ie". Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
External links
Oireachtas | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by John Farrelly (Fine Gael) |
Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Meath 2002–2007 |
Constituency abolished |
New constituency | Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Meath West 2007–present |
Incumbent |
Honorary titles | ||
Preceded by Denis Naughten |
Baby of the Dáil 2002–2007 |
Succeeded by Lucinda Creighton |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Seán Sherlock |
Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation 2014–2016 |
Succeeded by John Halligan |
Preceded by Paudie Coffey |
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal 2016–2017 |
Succeeded by Office abolished |
Preceded by New office |
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development 2017–2020 | |
Preceded by Pat Breen |
Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses 2020–present |
Incumbent |