Pat Carey
Pat Carey (born 9 November 1947) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin North-West constituency from 1997 to 2011.[1] He served as the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs from 2010 to 2011, and also as Government Chief Whip from 2008 to 2010.
Early and private life
Carey was born in Castlemaine, County Kerry in 1947. He was educated at Presentation Brothers College, Milltown, County Kerry and went to St. Patrick's College in Drumcondra, Dublin to complete his teacher training. He subsequently studied at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a H.Dip Education respectively. Before entering politics Carey was a national school teacher and a deputy principal.
Since leaving office, Carey has come out as gay, and voiced support for the 2015 marriage equality referendum, saying “My only regret is that I didn’t have the courage or confidence to [come out while in politics]. When I look back it’s an awful pity I didn’t feel able to do that. Nobody stopped me, but I wasn’t sure how it would be received.”[2]
Political career
Carey first entered local politics in 1985 when he was elected to Dublin City Council for the Finglas area. He remained on the council until the abolition of the dual mandate in 2003. He was elected as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the constituency of Dublin North-West at the 1997 general election, defeating the sitting Fine Gael TD Mary Flaherty to win a second seat for the Fianna Fáil in the 4-seater constituency. He was re-elected at the 2002 general election.[3] Re-elected at the 2007 general election, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with special responsibility for Drugs Strategy and Community Affairs.
In 2008, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) by Brian Cowen. He was also appointed Minister of State with special responsibility for Active Citizenship.
On 23 March 2010, he was appointed as Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.[4] On 20 January 2011, Carey was also appointed as Minister for Transport, following the resignation of Noel Dempsey.[5] On 23 January 2011, Carey was also appointed as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, following the resignation of Eamon Ryan.
He lost his seat at the 2011 general election.[3] On 28 March 2011, the Sunday Independent reported that Carey had "appointed another party crony to a key State board on his final day in office".[6]
Carey received a lump sum of €165,000 and an annual pension of €45,000.[7]
In November 2015, Carey stepped down as Fianna Fáil's director of elections.[8][9]
References
- "Pat Carey". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- "Pat Carey criticises FF over same-sex marriage campaign". Irish Times. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- "Pat Carey". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- "Cowen moves Coughlan to Education in reshuffle". The Irish Times. 23 March 2010.
- "Election date set for 11 March". RTÉ News. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- Webb, Nick (27 March 2011). "Carey gave plum quango board job to supermarket pal". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
- "Outgoing TDs pensions" (PDF). The Irish Times. 2011.
- "Pat Carey steps down as Fianna Fáil's director of elections". Irish Independent. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- "Fianna Fáil confirms Pat Carey leaving role". RTÉ News. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mary Flaherty (Fine Gael) |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Dublin North-West 1997–2011 |
Succeeded by John Lyons (Labour Party) |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Noel Ahern |
Minister of State for Drugs Strategy and Community Affairs 2007–2008 |
Succeeded by John Curran |
| Preceded by Tom Kitt |
Government Chief Whip 2008–2010 |
Succeeded by John Curran |
| Minister of State at the Department of Defence 2008–2010 | ||
| Preceded by New office |
Minister of State for Active Citizenship 2008–2010 | |
| Preceded by Éamon Ó Cuív as Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs 2010–2011 |
Department responsilities dispersed |
| Preceded by Noel Dempsey |
Minister for Transport 2011 |
Succeeded by Leo Varadkar as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport |
| Preceded by Eamon Ryan |
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 2011 |
Succeeded by Pat Rabbitte |