Danny Kennedy (politician)
 |
Danny Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Regional Development | |
| In office 16 May 2011 – 1 September 2015 | |
| First Minister | Peter Robinson |
| Preceded by | Conor Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Michelle McIlveen |
| Minister for Employment and Learning | |
| In office 27 October 2010 – 5 May 2011 | |
| First Minister | Peter Robinson |
| Preceded by | Sir Reg Empey |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Farry |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Newry and Armagh | |
| Assumed office 25 June 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Seat created |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 July 1959 Bessbrook, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Children | 3 |
Danny Kennedy MLA (born 6 July 1959) is a unionist politician in Northern Ireland. He was former deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Assembly Group and former Minister for Regional Development.
Background
 |
Kennedy is married with three children; Steven, Phillip and Hannah. He was educated at Newry High School, and was an employee of British Telecom for 20 years before being elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Kennedy is Presbyterian and belongs to the Orange Order.
Political career
Kennedy has served at all levels, both local and within the wider party organisation of the Ulster Unionist Party, which he joined in 1974. He ran unsuccessfully for the UUP in the Westminster election in 1997, in which he polled over 18,000 votes against Seamus Mallon. He was elected to the Assembly in 1998.
Kennedy was UUP Assembly spokesman for education and chaired the Assembly Committee which both scrutinised and helped frame education legislation between 1998 and 2002. On the restoration of devolution in 2007 he became chairman of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. His performance in this office garnered him the award for "Best Committee Chair" from the Slugger O'Toole blogsite in 2008.[1]
Kennedy did not appeal an employment tribunal decision that found that a Protestant job applicant, Alan Lennon, had been discriminated against by Kennedy's predecessor Conor Murphy. Lennon was awarded £150,000 damages.[2]
References
- ^ "Blog selects heroes and villains". BBC News. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
- ^ "Conor Murphy claims Danny Kennedy 'ignored' legal advice in DRD case". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 26 August 2012.