Jim McDaid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim McDaid
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| Minister of State | |
| 2002–2004 | Transport |
| Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation | |
| In office 26 June 1997 – 6 June 2002 |
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| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | Enda Kenny |
| Succeeded by | John O'Donoghue |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1989 – 2 November 2010 |
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| Constituency | Donegal North-East |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Joseph McDaid
3 October 1949 Termon, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 5 |
| Education | St Eunan's College |
| Alma mater | University College Galway |
James Joseph McDaid, born on 3 October 1949, is an Irish former politician. He was a member of the Fianna Fáil political party. Mr. McDaid served as a government minister in Ireland. He was the Minister of State for Transport from 2002 to 2004. Before that, he was the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation from 1997 to 2002. He also served as a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish Parliament. He represented the Donegal North-East area from 1989 until 2010.
Outside of politics, James McDaid has also had a career as a medical doctor. He continues to work as a general practitioner (GP) in Letterkenny, Ireland.
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Early Life and Education
James McDaid was born in Termon, a town in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1949. He attended St Eunan's College in Letterkenny from 1962 to 1967. After finishing school, he went to University College Galway (UCG). In 1974, he earned his degree in medicine, becoming a doctor.
University Sports Achievements
While at University College Galway, James McDaid was a talented soccer player. He played on the university's soccer team. This team won three national titles during his time there. Mr. McDaid was the team captain for two of these championship wins. In the 1972–73 season, he received the Clubman of the Year Award.
Medical Career Before Politics
From 1974 to 1979, James McDaid worked at Letterkenny General Hospital. In 1979, he started his own medical practice. He became a general practitioner (GP) in Letterkenny. He also worked as a medical officer for the Donegal county football team. This meant he was the team's doctor.
Political Journey
James McDaid began his political career in 1989. He was elected to Dáil Éireann, the Irish Parliament, in the 1989 Irish general election. This was his first time running for election. He was re-elected in every election after that. He continued to serve as a TD until he resigned from the Dáil in 2010.
Early Parliamentary Roles
In 1991, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Charles Haughey suggested James McDaid for the role of Minister for Defence. However, a situation arose that led to him withdrawing his name from consideration for the role. After Bertie Ahern became the leader of Fianna Fáil in 1994, Mr. McDaid was given a position on the party's front bench. He became the spokesperson for Equality and Law Reform.
Ministerial Appointments
James McDaid joined the government in 1997. He was appointed Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. During his time in this role, he was sometimes called the "Minister for Fun." However, he also dealt with important issues. These included looking into concerns about fairness in sports. After the 2002 Irish general election, Mr. McDaid did not keep his Cabinet position. However, he became a Minister of State.
Later Political Career
In 2004, James McDaid ran for the North-West area in the European Parliament election. He was not successful in winning a seat. After this, he finished his term as Minister of State. He then returned to being a regular member of parliament.
In April 2006, Mr. McDaid announced he would retire from politics. He planned to focus on his medical practice. However, in July 2006, he changed his mind. He decided to run again in the 2007 Irish general election. In this election, he was one of the two successful Fianna Fáil candidates for his area.
In 2008, James McDaid abstained from a vote in the Dáil. This led to him leaving the Fianna Fáil parliamentary group. In April 2010, he stated he would not give up his ministerial pension voluntarily. He said he would only do so if the Dáil Éireann specifically asked him to. Reports in May 2010 showed he missed many Dáil votes in 2009.
James McDaid resigned from his Dáil seat on 2 November 2010. In his resignation letter, he called for a general election to happen soon. He also said the government was avoiding difficult issues.
Personal Life
James McDaid has five children. He was previously married to Marguerite McDaid. He is now married to Siobhán McDaid, and they have a son together.
