Pat Carey

Pat Carey (born 9 November 1947) is an Irish former 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.

For the Canadian jazz/blues saxophonist, see Pat Carey (musician).

Pat Carey
Carey in 2011
Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs
In office
23 March 2010 – 9 March 2011
TaoiseachBrian Cowen
Preceded byÉamon Ó Cuív
Succeeded byDepartment responsibilities dispersed
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
In office
23 January 2011 – 9 March 2011
TaoiseachBrian Cowen
Preceded byEamon Ryan
Succeeded byPat Rabbitte
Minister for Transport
In office
20 January 2011 – 9 March 2011
TaoiseachBrian Cowen
Preceded byNoel Dempsey
Succeeded byLeo Varadkar (Transport, Tourism and Sport)
Minister of State
2008–2010Government Chief Whip
2008–2010Defence
2007–2008Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Teachta Dála
In office
June 1997 – February 2011
ConstituencyDublin North-West
Personal details
Born (1947-11-09) 9 November 1947
Castlemaine, County Kerry, Ireland
Political partyFianna Fáil
Alma mater

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. in Education respectively. Before entering politics Carey was a national school teacher and a deputy principal.

Since leaving office, Carey came 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 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.[4] When Brian Cowen became Taoiseach in May 2008, Carey was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility as Government Chief Whip and Active Citizenship and as Minister of State at the Department of Defence.[5]

On 23 March 2010, he was appointed as Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.[6][7] On 20 January 2011, Carey was also appointed as Minister for Transport, following the resignation of Noel Dempsey.[8][9] On 23 January 2011, Carey was also appointed as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, following the resignation of Eamon Ryan.[10]

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".[11]

In November 2015, Carey stepped down as Fianna Fáil's director of elections.[12][13]

References
  1. "Pat Carey". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  2. "Pat Carey criticises FF over same-sex marriage campaign". Irish Times. 13 February 2015. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  3. "Pat Carey". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  4. "Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (30th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 26 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  5. "Appointment of Ministers of State" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2008 (40): 527. 16 May 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  6. "Ministerial Appointments: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (30th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 March 2010. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  7. "Cowen moves Coughlan to Education in reshuffle". The Irish Times. 23 March 2010. Archived from the original on 11 August 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  8. "Election date set for 11 March". RTÉ News. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  9. "Termination of Ministerial Appointments: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (30th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  10. "Termination of Ministerial Appointments: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (30th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  11. Webb, Nick (27 March 2011). "Carey gave plum quango board job to supermarket pal". Sunday Independent. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  12. "Pat Carey steps down as Fianna Fáil's director of elections". Irish Independent. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  13. "Fianna Fáil confirms Pat Carey leaving role". RTÉ News. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
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