Iris Robinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iris Robinson
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Robinson in 2012
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| Member of Parliament for Strangford |
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| In office 7 June 2001 – 13 January 2010 |
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| Preceded by | John Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Jim Shannon |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Strangford |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 12 January 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Office Created |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Bell |
| Democratic Unionist Party Spokesperson for Health | |
| In office 2001 – 9 January 2010 |
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| Leader | Ian Paisley Peter Robinson |
| Mayor of Castlereagh | |
| In office 1995–1996 |
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| In office 1992–1993 |
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| Member of Castlereagh Borough Council |
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| In office 17 May 1989 – 13 January 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Denny Vitty |
| Succeeded by | Tim Morrow |
| Constituency | Castlereagh East |
| Northern Ireland Forum Member for Strangford |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Forum created |
| Succeeded by | Forum dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Iris Collins
6 September 1949 Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Independent (2010–present) Democratic Unionist Party (until 2010) |
| Spouse | Peter Robinson (1970–present) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residences | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Alma mater | Cregagh Technical College |
| Profession | Secretary |
Iris Robinson (born Iris Collins on 6 September 1949) is a former politician from Northern Ireland. She was a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
She is married to Peter Robinson. He was the First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2008 to 2016.
Iris Robinson started her political career as a councillor in 1989. She later became a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and a Member of Parliament (MP) for Strangford. She retired from politics in 2010 due to health reasons.
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Early Life and Family
Iris Collins was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was the oldest of seven children. Her mother was Mary McCarten and her father was Joseph Collins, an English soldier. She grew up in a working-class area of East Belfast.
She went to Cregagh Primary School, Knockbreda Intermediate School, and Cregagh Technical College. Before becoming a politician, she worked as a secretary.
Iris married Peter Robinson on 26 July 1970. They were the first husband and wife to represent Northern Ireland in the UK Parliament at the same time. They have three children: Jonathan, Gareth, and Rebekah. Gareth Robinson also served as a councillor.
Outside of politics, Iris Robinson enjoyed raising money for multiple sclerosis charities. She also liked interior design and horseriding.
Political Journey
Iris Robinson began her political career in 1989. She was elected as a councillor for Castlereagh (borough). She made history by becoming the Council's first woman mayor in 1992. She served as mayor again in 1995.
From 1995 to 1997, she was a member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue. This group discussed political issues in Northern Ireland.
In 1998, she was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. She represented the Strangford area. In the Assembly, she was the DUP's spokesperson for health.
She became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Strangford in the 2001 general election. She replaced John Taylor from the Ulster Unionist Party. She was re-elected as MP in the 2005 general election.
As an MP, Iris Robinson took part in votes in the House of Commons. Her voting record shows she voted against foundation hospitals. She voted in favour of the Iraq War and later for an investigation into it. She also voted for a law that allowed longer detention for terror suspects.
In November 2007, she was briefly suspended from the Stormont Assembly. This happened after she made comments about the health minister that were considered "unparliamentary."
Public Life and Later Years
In December 2009, Iris Robinson announced she would leave politics. She said she was stepping back from public life due to ongoing health challenges. She resigned from the Northern Ireland Assembly on 12 January 2010. The next day, 13 January 2010, she resigned from the House of Commons and Castlereagh Borough Council.
She received medical treatment for her health in London and later in Northern Ireland.
Iris Robinson made a public appearance in April 2011 at her mother's funeral. Later that year, in May 2011, she attended a state banquet in Dublin. This was during the Queen's visit to the Republic of Ireland.
An Opera About Her Life
In November 2019, an opera about Iris Robinson's political views was performed in Belfast. The opera, called Abomination, A DUP Opera, was composed by Conor Mitchell. It later toured Belfast and Dublin in 2022. It also had its London premiere in May 2023.
Images for kids
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Robinson in 2012
