Catherine Byrne (Irish politician)
Catherine Byrne (born 26 February 1956) is a former Irish Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South-Central constituency from 2007 to 2020. She served as Minister of State for Health Promotion from 2017 to 2020, and Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy from 2016 to 2020. She was previously served as Deputy Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party from 2014 to 2016 and Lord Mayor of Dublin from 2005 to 2006.[1]
Catherine Byrne | |
|---|---|
 Byrne in 2016 | |
| Minister of State for Health Promotion | |
| In office 20 June 2017 – 27 June 2020 | |
| Taoiseach | Leo Varadkar |
| Preceded by | Marcella Corcoran Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | Frank Feighan |
| Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy | |
| In office 19 May 2016 – 27 June 2020 | |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny Leo Varadkar |
| Preceded by | Aodhán Ó Ríordáin |
| Succeeded by | Frank Feighan |
| Deputy Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party | |
| In office 14 June 2014 – 1 June 2016 | |
| Leader | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Pat Deering |
| Lord Mayor of Dublin | |
| In office 5 June 2005 – 6 June 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Conaghan |
| Succeeded by | Vincent Jackson |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 2007 – February 2020 | |
| Constituency | Dublin South-Central |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 February 1956 Bluebell, Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse(s) | Joesph Byrne (m. 1987) |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | Dublin Institute of Technology |
Political career
Byrne stood unsuccessfully as a candidate at the 2002 general election, she was elected on her next attempt at the 2007 general election. She was a member of Dublin City Council for the South West Inner City local electoral area. She served for a term as Lord Mayor of Dublin in 2005.[2]
She was party Deputy Spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with special responsibility for National Drugs Strategy from 2007 to 2010. From July 2010 to March 2011, she was Spokesperson on Older Citizens.[3]
She was the Vice-Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party from 2014 to 2016.[4]
Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in May 2016, Byrne was appointed Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy. Upon Leo Varadkar's appointment as Taoiseach, she was appointed also, as Minister of State for Health Promotion in June 2017. She lost her seat at the general election in February 2020.
Personal life
Byrne was leader of St Michael's Folk/Gospel Group for 15 years and has completed a two-year Lay Ministry Course in All Hallows College, and also holds a Diploma in Catering.[5] In 2006, she was granted a coat of arms, by the Chief Herald of Ireland.[6]
References
- "Catherine Byrne". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- "Catherine Byrne". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
- "Bruton & Noonan return to Fine Gael frontbench". RTÉ News. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- "We won't form government at any cost - Fine Gael". RTÉ News. 3 March 2016.
- "Catherine Byrne TD". Fine Gael website. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- "Grant of Arms: Catherine Byrne". National Library of Ireland. 10 November 2006. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011.
| Civic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Conaghan |
Lord Mayor of Dublin 2005–2006 |
Succeeded by Vincent Jackson |
| Oireachtas | ||
| Preceded by Gay Mitchell (Fine Gael) |
Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Dublin South-Central 2007–2020 |
Succeeded by Patrick Costello (Green Party) |