Brendan Howlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brendan Howlin
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Howlin in 2020
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| Leader of the Labour Party | |
| In office 20 May 2016 – 3 April 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Joan Burton |
| Succeeded by | Alan Kelly |
| Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform | |
| In office 9 March 2011 – 6 May 2016 |
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| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Paschal Donohoe |
| Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann | |
| In office 26 June 2007 – 9 March 2011 |
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| Ceann Comhairle |
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| Preceded by | Séamus Pattison |
| Succeeded by | Michael Kitt |
| Deputy leader of the Labour Party | |
| In office 13 November 1997 – 25 October 2002 |
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| Leader | Ruairi Quinn |
| Preceded by | Ruairi Quinn |
| Succeeded by | Liz McManus |
| Minister for the Environment | |
| In office 14 December 1994 – 26 June 1997 |
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| Taoiseach | John Bruton |
| Preceded by | Michael Smith |
| Succeeded by | Noel Dempsey |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 12 January 1993 – 17 November 1994 |
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| Taoiseach | Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | John O'Connell |
| Succeeded by | Michael Woods |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 1987 – November 2024 |
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| Constituency | Wexford |
| Senator | |
| In office 12 February 1983 – 30 February 1987 |
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| Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 May 1956 Wexford, Ireland |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Alma mater | St Patrick's College, Dublin |
Brendan Howlin (born 9 May 1956) is a former Irish politician for the Labour Party. He had a long career in Irish politics, serving in many important roles. He was the Leader of the Labour Party from 2016 to 2020.
Howlin also served as a government minister several times, including as Minister for Health and Minister for the Environment. From 1987 to 2024, he was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of Ireland's main parliament, the Dáil Éireann. He represented the people of the Wexford area. Before becoming a TD, he was a Senator in Ireland's other house of parliament, the Seanad.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Brendan Howlin was born in Wexford into a family that was very involved in politics. His father, John Howlin, was a trade union official and a Labour member of Wexford's local government. His mother, Molly, was also active in local politics. Even his name, Brendan, was a tribute to Brendan Corish, a famous Labour TD from Wexford.
Howlin grew up in Wexford town and went to local schools. He later attended St Patrick's College in Dublin, where he trained to be a primary school teacher. As a teacher, he was active in the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, a union for teachers.
Start of His Political Career
Activism and First Election
Howlin first got into politics through the anti-nuclear movement in Ireland. He was a leader in a group that protested against plans to build a nuclear power plant at Carnsore Point, Wexford. A huge protest in 1979 drew 40,000 people.
In 1982, Howlin ran for a seat in the Dáil for the first time but was not elected. However, the new government leader, or Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald, chose him to be a Senator. In 1985, he was elected to Wexford County Council and became the Mayor of Wexford in 1986.
Entering the Dáil
In 1987, another election was held, and this time Howlin won a seat in the Dáil. He became a TD for Wexford. His party was not in government, but he was given the important job of Chief Whip for the Labour Party, which he held until 1993.
Serving as a Government Minister
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Minister for Health
After the 1992 election, the Labour Party joined with Fianna Fáil to form a coalition government. Howlin was appointed Minister for Health. In this role, he worked on a new four-year plan for the country's health services. He also helped secure £35 million for childcare services.
Minister for the Environment
In 1994, the Labour Party left the government but soon formed a new one with Fine Gael and Democratic Left. This was called the Rainbow Coalition. In this new government, Howlin became the Minister for the Environment.
Labour Party Leadership
After the 1997 election, the Labour Party was no longer in government. The party leader, Dick Spring, resigned. Howlin ran to become the new leader but lost to Ruairi Quinn. As a sign of unity, Howlin was made the deputy leader of the party.
In 2002, Quinn resigned, and Howlin ran for the leadership again. This time, he was defeated by Pat Rabbitte.
On 20 May 2016, Howlin was elected Leader of the Labour Party without any opposition. He led the party for four years. During the 2020 Irish general election, the party's support fell, and they won only six seats. Howlin announced he would step down as leader on 12 February 2020.
Later Career and Retirement
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
From 2011 to 2016, Howlin served as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This was a new and important role created to manage government spending during a difficult economic time for Ireland. He was responsible for finding ways to make public services more efficient.
Passing an Important Law
In 2020, a law that Howlin had worked on was passed. This law, called the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill, made it a crime to share private images of someone without their permission. It also made other forms of online bullying and harassment against the law.
On 6 October 2023, Howlin announced that he would not run in the next general election and would retire from politics. His long career as a TD for Wexford ended in November 2024.
