Brendan Howlin facts for kids
Brendan Howlin (born 9 May 1956) is an Irish former politician from the Labour Party. He was the Leader of the Labour Party from 2016 to 2020. He also served as a government minister in several important roles, including Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Minister for Health.
Howlin was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann), for the Wexford area from 1987 to 2024. Before that, he was a Senator from 1983 to 1987.
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 |
Early Life and Education
Brendan Howlin was born on 9 May 1956 in Wexford, Ireland. He grew up in a family that was very involved in politics. His father was a trade union official, which means he worked to protect the rights of workers. His father was also a local politician for the Labour Party. Brendan was even named after Brendan Corish, a famous Labour Party leader from Wexford.
Howlin went to school in Wexford and later studied at St Patrick's College in Drumcondra, Dublin. He became a primary school teacher. While working as a teacher, he was active in the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, a group that represents teachers. This experience helped him prepare for a career in politics.
Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Howlin's first step into politics was through the Irish anti-nuclear movement. He was the head of Nuclear Opposition Wexford, a group that protested against building a nuclear power plant at Carnsore Point. In 1978, they organized a huge protest that attracted 40,000 people.
In 1982, Howlin ran for the Dáil (Irish parliament) for the first time as a Labour candidate in Wexford, but he was not elected. However, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Garret FitzGerald chose him to serve as a Senator. In 1985, he was elected to Wexford County Council, a local government body, and became Mayor of Wexford in 1986.
Joining Dáil Éireann
In 1987, Howlin was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Wexford. Even though he was new to the Dáil, he quickly became the Chief Whip for the Labour Party. This role involves making sure party members vote as a group. He held this position until 1993.
Becoming a Cabinet Minister
After the 1992 general election, the Labour Party joined a government with another party, Fianna Fáil. Howlin became the Minister for Health. In this role, he worked on a plan for health services and focused on preventing certain diseases.
In 1994, the government changed again. The Labour Party then formed a new government with Fine Gael and Democratic Left, called the "Rainbow Coalition." In this new government, Howlin became the Minister for the Environment.
Seeking Party Leadership
After the 1997 general election, the Labour Party went back into opposition. When the party leader, Dick Spring, stepped down, Howlin ran for the leadership. He was chosen as the deputy leader of the party.
In 2002, the party leader, Ruairi Quinn, resigned after the general election. Howlin ran for the leadership again but was not successful. He was succeeded as deputy leader by Liz McManus.
Serving as Leas-Cheann Comhairle
From 2007 to 2011, Howlin served as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. This means he was the deputy chairperson of the Dáil, helping to run the parliamentary meetings.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
After the 2011 general election, Fine Gael and the Labour Party formed a new government. Howlin was appointed to a new role: Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In this job, he was in charge of how the government spent its money and how public services were managed. He talked about the challenges of an aging population and the need to reform public services. He also worked on dealing with a big economic crisis facing Ireland at the time.
Leading the Labour Party
In 2016, after the general election, the Labour Party lost many seats and went back into opposition. The party leader, Joan Burton, resigned. Howlin ran for the leadership of the Labour Party without anyone else challenging him, and he became the leader on 20 May 2016.
During his time as leader, he worked to rebuild the party. In 2018, another politician, Alan Kelly, challenged Howlin for the leadership, saying the party needed to improve. Howlin said that most of the party members supported him.
2020 General Election and Stepping Down
In the 2020 general election, the Labour Party received a low number of votes and won only 6 seats, which was a record low for the party. After this result, Howlin announced on 12 February 2020 that he would step down as leader. He also said that the Labour Party should not join the government. His successor was elected on 3 April 2020.
After Leadership
In 2020, a law that Howlin had worked on, called the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill, was passed. This law helps protect people from harmful online communication.
On 6 October 2023, Howlin announced that he would not run in the next general election, ending his long career in politics.
Images for kids
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Howlin (front left) in 2013.
