Eithne FitzGerald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eithne FitzGerald
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FitzGerald in 1996
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| Minister of State | |
| 1994–1997 | Enterprise and Employment |
| 1993–1997 | Tánaiste |
| 1993–1994 | Finance |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office November 1992 – June 1997 |
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| Constituency | Dublin South |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eithne Ingoldsby
28 November 1950 Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
Eithne FitzGerald (born 28 November 1950) is an Irish economist. She is also a former politician from the Labour Party. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South area from 1992 to 1997. During her time as a TD, she was a Minister of State in two different Irish governments.
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Who is Eithne FitzGerald?
Eithne FitzGerald was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1950. She studied at University College Dublin. She became known as an economist, which is someone who studies how money, goods, and services are made and used. Later, she decided to get involved in politics.
Early Political Steps
Before becoming a TD, Eithne FitzGerald tried four times to be elected to Dáil Éireann. Dáil Éireann is the main part of the Irish parliament. She ran in the Dublin South area.
In the 1992 general election, she was finally elected as a TD. She received the most first-choice votes of any candidate in the whole country during that election. This was a big achievement for her.
Working in Government
As a TD, Eithne FitzGerald became a Minister of State. A Minister of State helps a main government minister with their work.
First Government Role
In January 1993, the Labour Party joined with another party, Fianna Fáil, to form a new government. Eithne FitzGerald was given the role of Minister of State at the Department of Finance. Her job involved helping with the country's money matters and working closely with the Tánaiste, who is like the deputy leader of the government. She also helped with the National Development Plan, which was a plan for improving Ireland. This government lasted until November 1994.
The Rainbow Coalition
In December 1994, a new government was formed. It was called the "Rainbow Coalition" because it included three different parties: Fine Gael, the Labour Party, and Democratic Left. In this new government, Eithne FitzGerald became the Minister of State at the Office of the Tánaiste. She also became the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment.
One of her important tasks was to introduce the Freedom of Information law in Ireland. This law allows people to ask for information from public bodies.
After Her Time in Dáil Éireann
Eithne FitzGerald continued in her role until the government was defeated in the 1997 general election. She lost her seat in that election. Another politician, Olivia Mitchell, took her place. Eithne FitzGerald tried to get elected again in Dublin South in the 2002 general election, but she was not successful.
Family Life
Eithne FitzGerald is married to John D. FitzGerald. John D. FitzGerald is the son of Garret FitzGerald, who was a former Taoiseach (the head of the Irish government).
