Bernard Durkan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernard Durkan
|
|
|---|---|
_2020_(cropped)_2.png)
Durkan in 2020
|
|
| Minister of State | |
| 1994–1997 | Social Welfare |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1997 – November 2024 |
|
| Constituency | Kildare North |
| In office November 1982 – June 1997 |
|
| In office June 1981 – February 1982 |
|
| Constituency | Kildare |
| Senator | |
| In office 13 May 1982 – 24 November 1982 |
|
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 March 1945 Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse |
Hilary Spence
(m. 1983) |
| Children | 2 |
Bernard J. Durkan, born on March 26, 1945, is a former Irish politician. He was a member of the Fine Gael political party. For many years, he served as a Teachta Dála (TD). A TD is like a member of parliament in Ireland. He represented the Kildare North area from 1997 to 2024. Before that, he represented the Kildare area. He also worked as a Minister of State for Social Welfare from 1994 to 1997. For a short time in 1982, he was a Senator.
About Bernard Durkan
Bernard Durkan was born in 1945 in Killasser, which is near Swinford in County Mayo, Ireland. He went to school at St. John's, Carramore, also in County Mayo.
His son, Tim Durkan, also became a politician for the Fine Gael party. Tim was elected to the Kildare County Council in 2014. He has kept his position as a councillor in elections held in 2019 and 2024.
In 1967, Bernard Durkan took part in a protest by farmers. He was held in Mountjoy Prison and Portlaoise Prison for eight weeks. This happened after he refused to pay a fine related to the protest.
His Political Career
Bernard Durkan started his political journey in 1976. He was elected to the Kildare County Council. He remained a member of the council until 1994. He even served as the chairman of the council from 1986 to 1987.
He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in the 1981 general election. He represented the Kildare constituency. However, he lost his seat in the February 1982 election. After that, he was elected as a Senator for the Agricultural Panel.
Durkan quickly regained his Dáil seat in the November 1982 general election. He was re-elected several times after that. These elections included 1987, 1989, and 1992. When the Kildare area was divided into new constituencies, he was elected for Kildare North in 1997. He continued to win elections in 2002, 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2020. He was known for often doing very well in the votes.
During his time as a TD, he held many important roles within the Fine Gael party. He worked on topics like Health, Food, Trade and Industry, and Communications. From 1994 to 1997, he served as a Minister of State for Social Welfare. This role meant he helped manage social welfare programs.
He also served as the vice-chairman of a committee that looked at Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was also a member and chairman of the committee on European Affairs. He was also the Fine Gael party's Chief Whip. In 2010, he chose to donate his ministerial pension to charity.
In September 2024, Bernard Durkan was the oldest TD serving in the 33rd Dáil. He lost his seat in the 2024 general election, ending his long career as a TD.
