Conor Lenihan
Conor Lenihan | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State for Science, Technology, Innovation and Natural Resources | |
| Assumed office 22 April 2009 | |
| Minister of State for Integration Policy | |
| In office 20 June 2007 – 21 April 2009 | |
| Minister of State for Overseas Development and Human Rights | |
| In office 29 September 2004 – 20 June 2007 | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office June 1997 | |
| Constituency | Dublin South West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 March 1963 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin, Dublin City University, INSEAD |
Conor Lenihan (born 3 March 1963) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South West constituency and a Minister of State.[1]
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 the INSEAD.[2] Before his political career, Lenihan worked as an executive with Esat Digifone (now O2). He also worked as a journalist with the Dublin radio station 98FM.[3] While working in London he covered the House of Commons. Lenihan has also lectured on European issues as a member of the European Commission's Speakers panel.[4]
Lenihan was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election.[5] In Bertie Ahern's cabinet reshuffle of 2004, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights. Lenihan restructured Ireland's international aid programme, creating Irish Aid, the Irish Government's programme of assistance to developing countries. Through Irish Aid, Lenihan administered a budget of almost a billion euros which is used to help developing nations thus continuing Ireland's tradition of reaching out to other post-colonial nations.
He served as Minister of State with special responsibility for Integration Policy from June 2007 to April 2009. In April 2009, he was appointed as the Minister of State with special responsibility for Science, Technology, Innovation and Natural Resources.
Lenihan is also the editor of The Nation, the official publication of the Fianna Fáil party.
Lenihan is the son of former Fianna Fáil Tánaiste Brian Lenihan. His grandfather, Patrick Lenihan, also served in the Irish parliament. His aunt, Mary O'Rourke, is a Fianna Fáil TD while his brother, Brian Lenihan, Jnr, is the current Minister for Finance.
Lenihan was diagnosed with a benign tumour in 2007.[6]
Controversies
Attitude to immigrants
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 being exploited by their employer, GAMA. Lenihan apologised in the Dáil for the remarks.[7]
In 2007 he banned Gardaí and Garda reserves from wearing the Sikh turban, saying "if we are to take integration seriously, people who come here must understand our way of doing things. When the President and Ministers travel to the Middle East, they accept cultural requirements of the country and the culture in which they are operating. It is a vice-versa situation with regard to Ireland".[8]
The Origin of Specious Nonsense
In September 2010, Lenihan attracted controversy when it emerged that he was to attend the launch of The Origin of Specious Nonsense, an anti-evolution book by John J. May. PZ Myers, on his Pharyngula blog, called May a "barmy, ignorant crank" and expressed shock that a Minister of State with special responsibility for Science would lend support to such a book.[9]
References
- ^ "Mr. Conor Lenihan". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ "Ministerial Profile". Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ Burns, John (14 February 2010). "George Lee: Another hack bites the dust". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ "European Commission Representation in Ireland 2008 Review". European Commission. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Conor Lenihan". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ "Irish minister in TV tumour spot". BBC News. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ "Higgins reacts to Lenihan 'kebabs' remark". RTÉ News. 18 May 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
- ^ "Granting special status doesn't help integration". Sunday Independent. 19 August 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
- ^ [1]