Brian Lenihan Jnr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Lenihan Jnr
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Lenihan in July 2010
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| Minister for Finance | |
| In office 7 May 2008 – 9 March 2011 |
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| Taoiseach | Brian Cowen |
| Preceded by | Brian Cowen |
| Succeeded by | Michael Noonan |
| Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil | |
| In office 15 March 2011 – 10 June 2011 |
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| Leader | Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by | Mary Hanafin |
| Succeeded by | Éamon Ó Cuív |
| Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform | |
| In office 14 June 2007 – 7 May 2008 |
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| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | Michael McDowell |
| Succeeded by | Dermot Ahern |
| Minister of State | |
| 2002–2007 | Children |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office April 1996 – 10 June 2011 |
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| Constituency | Dublin West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 May 1959 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 10 June 2011 (aged 52) Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | |
| Relations |
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| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Education | Belvedere College |
| Alma mater | |
Brian Joseph Lenihan (21 May 1959 – 10 June 2011) was an important Irish politician. He was a member of the Fianna Fáil party. He served as Minister for Finance from 2008 to 2011. Before that, he was Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007 to 2008. He also worked as Minister of State for Children from 2002 to 2007. Brian Lenihan was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is like a Member of Parliament, for the Dublin West area from 1996 until he passed away in 2011.
Contents
Brian Lenihan's Early Life and Education
Brian Lenihan was born in Dublin in 1959. He spent his early childhood in Athlone, County Westmeath, until he was 12 years old. He attended primary school there. Later, he went to Belvedere College in Dublin. He was the school captain there.
University Studies and Law Career
After school, Brian studied law at Trinity College Dublin. He earned a top degree. In 1979, he was chosen as a foundation scholar. He also studied at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in England. He became a lawyer, called to the Irish Bar.
In 1984, he started teaching law at Trinity College Dublin. He also began working as a lawyer. He became a Senior Counsel in 1997. This means he was a very experienced lawyer. Brian married Circuit Court judge Patricia Ryan in 1997. They had two children together.
Brian Lenihan's Political Beginnings
Brian Lenihan came from a family deeply involved in Irish politics. His father, Brian Lenihan Snr, was a government minister for over 25 years. His grandfather, Patrick Lenihan, was also a TD. His aunt, Mary O'Rourke, and his brother, Conor Lenihan, were also politicians.
First Steps in Politics
Brian first became a politician in 1996. He ran in a special election in Dublin West. This election was held after his father passed away. Many people thought his party would not win the seat. However, Brian Lenihan won the election.
After being re-elected in 1997, he became the Chairman of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution. He held this role until 2002.
Minister for Children (2002–2007)
In 2002, Brian Lenihan was given an important role. He became a Minister of State with special responsibility for children. This meant he focused on issues affecting young people.
Key Actions as Minister for Children
As Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan worked on several projects. He announced a new TV show for young people. He also dealt with internet safety for children. He made changes to Ireland's adoption laws. He increased the number of police officers who check childcare workers.
In 2005, he was allowed to attend government meetings. He worked on a plan to stop physical punishment at home. He also spoke about the "Ferns Report" in 2005. This report highlighted serious issues in childcare. In 2006, he increased the age when a child could be held criminally responsible from 7 to 12. Before leaving this role in 2007, he helped add more judges for cases involving children.
Cabinet Roles (2007–2011)
After the 2007 election, Brian Lenihan became a full government minister. He was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. His father had also held this job many years before. As Justice Minister, he worked on important deportation cases.
Minister for Finance (2008–2011)
In 2008, Brian Lenihan became Minister for Finance. This was a very challenging time for Ireland. The country faced a major financial crisis. His main job was to manage Ireland's money and economy.
Dealing with the Banking Crisis
One of his biggest challenges was the banking crisis. In September 2008, he announced a plan to protect Irish banks. The government promised to guarantee the banks' debts for one year. This was a very big and controversial decision. The goal was to stop the banking system from collapsing.
Budget Decisions and NAMA
Lenihan presented several government budgets during this time. These budgets included tough decisions like spending cuts and tax increases. In 2009, he announced the creation of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). NAMA was set up to buy bad loans from Irish banks. The idea was to help the banks recover and start lending money again.
The government hoped NAMA would help businesses get loans. However, some groups, like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), were not sure it would lead to a big increase in lending.
Budget 2010
In December 2009, Brian Lenihan delivered the 2010 government budget. It was called one of the toughest budgets in Ireland's history. It included pay cuts for public workers and cuts to social welfare. Despite the difficulties, global investors generally approved of the measures.
EU-IMF Bailout (November 2010)
Because the Irish banks were still struggling, the government needed more help. In November 2010, Ireland agreed to a large financial rescue package. This was an €85 billion bailout from the ECB and the IMF. This decision caused worries about Ireland's independence. It also meant more taxes and reduced social welfare payments.
This bailout was a major event in the European sovereign debt crisis. Following this, the government's coalition partner, the Green Party, left the government. This led to an early general election in 2011. In this election, Fianna Fáil lost many seats.
Later Political Role (2011)
Brian Lenihan managed to keep his seat in the 2011 general election. He was one of the few Fianna Fáil TDs elected in Dublin. He became the deputy leader of Fianna Fáil. He also served as the party's spokesperson for finance.
In January 2011, he ran for the leadership of the Fianna Fáil party. However, he lost to Micheál Martin.
Comments on the Bailout
In an interview in April 2011, Brian Lenihan spoke about the bailout. He said the European Central Bank had pushed Ireland to take the bailout. He also felt that some ECB officials had unfairly criticised Ireland. He described how difficult it was for him to sign the bailout agreement.
Health and Passing
In December 2009, Brian Lenihan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He bravely continued his work as Minister for Finance while undergoing treatment. He was open about his illness with the public.
Brian Lenihan passed away on 10 June 2011, at the age of 52. He died at his home in Dublin. His death was reported by media around the world. Many people in Ireland queued to sign books of condolence. He was buried in a church graveyard in County Dublin.
See also
- Families in the Oireachtas
