Róisín Shortall
Róisín Shortall | |
---|---|
Leader of the Social Democrats with Catherine Murphy | |
Assumed office 15 July 2015 | |
Preceded by | New office |
Minister of State for Primary Care | |
In office 10 March 2011 – 26 September 2012 | |
Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
Preceded by | New office |
Succeeded by | Alex White |
Teachta Dála | |
Assumed office November 1992 | |
Constituency | Dublin North-West |
Personal details | |
Born | Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland | 25 April 1954
Political party | Social Democrats |
Other political affiliations | Independent (2012–15), Labour Party (1992–2012) |
Spouse | Seamus O'Byrne |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | University College Dublin, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin |
Website | www |
Róisín Shortall (born 25 April 1954) is an Irish politician, who is co-founder and joint-leader of the Social Democrats party. Initially a member of the Labour Party and a Teachta Dála (TD) representing them for the Dublin North-West constituency from November 1992,[1] she resigned her membership in September 2012. She then sat in Dáil Éireann as an independent TD for a time until co-founding the Social Democrats, for whom she was re-elected to the Dáil at the 2016 general election. While in the Labour Party she was Minister of State for Primary Care from 2011 to 2012.
Early life
Shortall was born and raised in Drumcondra, Dublin. She was educated at Dominican College, Eccles Street; University College Dublin, and Marino Institute of Education, Marino. She worked as a teacher for the deaf before seeking public office. She first held public office in 1991 when she was elected to Dublin City Council for the Drumcondra local electoral area.
Dáil Éireann
Shortall was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1992 general election, when the Labour Party won a record 33 seats. She retained her seat at the 1997, 2002, 2007 and the 2011 general elections.[2] She is a former party spokesperson for Social and Family Affairs.
On 10 March 2011, she was appointed as Minister of State for Primary Care.
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no confidence in her senior minister James Reilly on 3 September 2012 after yet more cuts in the health service.[3] Shortall addressed the Dáil during this motion and did not indicate her support for him or mention his name once,[4] though she did vote against the motion. She resigned as Minister of State for Primary Care on 26 September 2012, and also resigned the Parliamentary Labour Party whip.[5]
Social Democrats
On 15 July 2015, Shortall launched the Social Democrats party along with former independent TDs Stephen Donnelly and Catherine Murphy.[6] She was elected for that party at the 2016 general election.
References
- ^ "Ms. Róisín Shortall". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
- ^ "Róisín Shortall". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
- ^ "Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin table no-confidence motion in Health Minister James Reilly". RTÉ News. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
- ^ "Shortall delivers speech on motion of confidence". Irish Examiner. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- ^ "Roisin Shortall resigns as junior health minister". RTÉ News. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ "New Social Democrats group pledge to abolish water charges and repeal the Eighth Amendment". Irish Independent. 15 July 2015.
External links
- 1954 births
- Living people
- Alumni of University College Dublin
- Educators of the deaf
- Female Teachtaí Dála
- Independent TDs
- Irish schoolteachers
- Labour Party (Ireland) TDs
- Local councillors in Dublin (city)
- Members of the 27th Dáil
- Members of the 28th Dáil
- Members of the 29th Dáil
- Members of the 30th Dáil
- Members of the 31st Dáil
- Members of the 32nd Dáil
- Ministers of State of the 31st Dáil
- Social Democrats (Ireland) TDs