John O'Dowd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John O'Dowd
MLA
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O'Dowd in 2021
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| Minister for Infrastructure | |
| Assumed office 3 February 2024 |
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| First Minister | Michelle O'Neill |
| Preceded by | Himself (2022) |
| In office 16 May 2022 – 27 October 2022 |
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| First Minister | Vacant |
| Preceded by | Nichola Mallon |
| Succeeded by | Himself (2024) |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 16 May 2011 – 25 May 2016 |
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| First Minister | Peter Robinson |
| Preceded by | Caitríona Ruane |
| Succeeded by | Peter Weir |
| Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland | |
| Acting 20 September 2011 – 31 October 2011 Serving with Peter Robinson
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| Preceded by | Martin McGuinness |
| Succeeded by | Martin McGuinness |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Upper Bann |
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| Assumed office 26 November 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Dara O'Hagan |
| Member of Craigavon Borough Council |
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| In office 21 May 1997 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Brendan McConville |
| Succeeded by | Mairéad O'Dowd |
| Constituency | Loughside |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Fitzgerald O'Dowd
10 May 1967 Tullylish, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
| Spouse | Mary O'Dowd |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Politician |
John Fitzgerald O'Dowd was born on May 10, 1967. He is an Irish politician from the Sinn Féin party. Since 2003, he has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for the area of Upper Bann.
Mr. O'Dowd has held important roles in the Northern Ireland government. He served as the Minister for Infrastructure from May to October 2022, and he took on this role again in 2024. Before that, he was the Minister for Education from 2011 to 2016. In 2011, he also briefly took on the duties of deputy First Minister for a short time.
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Starting in Politics
John O'Dowd was born in 1967 in a place called Tullylish, which is a rural area in Northern Ireland. Before he became a politician, he trained to be a chef.
His political journey started when he became a local councillor. He served for 14 years on the Craigavon Borough Council. A councillor helps make decisions for their local community. He was also a school governor, which means he helped oversee how schools were run.
In 2003, John O'Dowd was elected as an MLA for Upper Bann. An MLA is like a representative who works in the Northern Ireland Assembly to make laws and decisions for the whole region. From 2007 to 2011, he was the leader of the Sinn Féin group in the Assembly.
Important Government Roles
John O'Dowd has held several key positions in the Northern Ireland government. These roles involve leading different departments that serve the public.
Minister for Education
From 2011 to 2016, John O'Dowd was the Minister for Education. In this job, he was in charge of all schools and education policies in Northern Ireland. This included making decisions about what students learn and how schools are supported.
Minister for Infrastructure
Mr. O'Dowd has served as the Minister for Infrastructure twice. He first held this role from May to October 2022. He then took on the position again starting in 2024. As Minister for Infrastructure, he is responsible for things like roads, public transport, water services, and planning in Northern Ireland.
Acting Deputy First Minister
In 2011, John O'Dowd took on a very important temporary role. When Martin McGuinness, who was the deputy First Minister at the time, ran for president in Ireland, Mr. O'Dowd stepped in to cover his duties. He served as the acting deputy First Minister from September 20 to October 31, 2011.
Personal Life
John O'Dowd is married and has three children.
