Kieran O'Donnell (born 8 May 1963) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as a Minister of State since December 2022. He 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 | |
|---|---|
 O'Donnell in 2014 | |
| Minister of State | |
| 2024– | Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform |
| 2022–2024 | Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
| Chair of the Committee on Transport and Communications Networks | |
| In office 15 September 2020 – 8 November 2024 | |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office February 2020 | |
| In office February 2011 – February 2016 | |
| Constituency | Limerick City |
| In office May 2007 – February 2011 | |
| Constituency | Limerick East |
| Senator | |
| In office 8 June 2016 – 8 February 2020 | |
| Constituency | Cultural and Educational Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 May 1963 Limerick, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse |
Phil O'Donnell (m. 1993) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Tom O'Donnell (uncle) |
| Alma mater | University of Limerick |
| Website | kieranodonnell |
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 25th 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.
In December 2022, O'Donnell was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Local Government and Planning following the appointment of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach.[4]
On 10 April 2024, O'Donnell was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform following the appointment of Simon Harris as Taoiseach.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Kieran O'Donnell". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
- ^ a b "Kieran O'Donnell". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
- ^ "Richard Bruton sacked as FG deputy leader". RTÉ News. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ "Minister of State appointments". gov.ie. Department of the Taoiseach. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ "Dillon, Higgins and Burke appointed as junior ministers". RTÉ News. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.