Kieran O'Donnell

Kieran O'Donnell (born 8 May 1963) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick City constituency since the 2020 general election, and previously from 2011 to 2016 and from 2007 to 2011 for the Limerick East constituency. He was appointed Chair of the Committee on Transport and Communications Networks in September 2020. He was a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 2016 to 2020.[1]

Kieran O'Donnell

TD
Chair of the Committee on Transport and Communications Networks
Assumed office
15 September 2020
Preceded byNew office
Teachta Dála
Assumed office
February 2020
In office
February 2011 – February 2016
ConstituencyLimerick City
In office
May 2007 – February 2011
ConstituencyLimerick East
Senator
In office
27 April 2016 – 8 February 2020
ConstituencyCultural and Educational Panel
Personal details
Born (1963-05-08) 8 May 1963
Limerick, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse(s)Phil O'Donnell (m. 1993)
RelationsTom O'Donnell (Uncle)
Children4
Alma materUniversity of Limerick
Websitekieranodonnell.ie

Before becoming a full-time public representative, O'Donnell worked as an accountant. He is a nephew of Tom O'Donnell, a former Minister and TD for Limerick East.

O'Donnell was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2002 Seanad election. He was elected on his first attempt to Limerick County Council for the Castleconnell local electoral area in 2004.[2] He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election.

In October 2007, O'Donnell was appointed party Deputy Spokesperson on Finance, with special responsibility for Freedom of Information, Procurement Reform and the Office of Public Works. As Deputy Spokesperson, O'Donnell was given the full Finance portfolio on an acting basis by Enda Kenny on 14 June 2010, when Kenny sacked Richard Bruton.[3] O'Donnell subsequently supported Richard Bruton's leadership challenge to Enda Kenny. Following Kenny's victory in a motion of confidence, O'Donnell was not appointed to the front bench. In October 2010, he was appointed as party Deputy Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, with special responsibility for Enterprise and Employment.

He lost his Dáil seat at the 2016 general election.[2] He was subsequently elected to the Seanad for the Cultural and Educational Panel, where he served as the Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Finance. He regained his Dáil seat following the 2020 general election.

See also

References
  1. "Kieran O'Donnell". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
  2. "Kieran O'Donnell". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
  3. "Richard Bruton sacked as FG deputy leader". RTÉ News. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
Oireachtas
Preceded by
Tim O'Malley
(Progressive Democrats)		 Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Limerick East
2007–2011		 Constituency abolished
New constituency Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Limerick City
2011–2016		 Succeeded by
Maurice Quinlivan
(Sinn Féin)
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