Paul Kehoe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Kehoe
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Kehoe in 2017
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| Chair of the Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science | |
| In office 15 September 2020 – 8 November 2024 |
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| Preceded by | New office |
| Minister of State | |
| 2011–2020 | Defence |
| 2011–2020 | Taoiseach |
| 2011–2016 | Government Chief Whip |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 2002 – November 2024 |
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| Constituency | Wexford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 January 1973 Bree, County Wexford, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse |
Brigid O'Connor
(m. 2007) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Kildalton Agricultural College |
Paul Kehoe (born 11 January 1973) is an Irish former politician. He was a member of the Fine Gael political party. From 2002 to 2024, he served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wexford area. A Teachta Dála is like a member of parliament in Ireland.
He was the Chair of the Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science from September 2020. Before that, he was a Minister of State at the Department of Defence from 2011 to 2020. He also served as the Government Chief Whip from 2011 to 2016.
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About Paul Kehoe
His Early Life and Family
Paul Kehoe was born in Bree, County Wexford, Ireland, in 1973. His parents were Myles and Bernadette Kehoe. His father was a farmer and was also involved in politics.
Paul went to school at St. Mary's CBS in Enniscorthy. He also studied at Kildalton Agricultural College in County Kilkenny. Like his father, Paul Kehoe is also a farmer. He is married to Brigid O'Connor, and they have three children together.
His Journey in Politics
Paul Kehoe first became a Teachta Dála (TD) in 2002. He was elected for the Wexford area in the general election that year. He was a member of the Fine Gael party.
In June 2002, Enda Kenny became the leader of Fine Gael. He chose Paul Kehoe to be the party's spokesperson for Communications, Marine, and Environment. Paul also worked as the Assistant Chief Whip for Fine Gael. He was re-elected as a TD in the general elections of 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2020.
Roles as Minister of State
On 9 March 2011, Paul Kehoe received important roles. He was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. This role included being the Government Chief Whip. He also became a Minister of State at the Department of Defence. These appointments were made by the government led by Enda Kenny, which was a partnership between Fine Gael and the Labour Party.
He continued in similar roles after the 2016 election. On 6 May 2016, he was again appointed Minister of State for the same departments. This was under a new government led by Enda Kenny, which included Fine Gael and Independent politicians. He did not continue as Government Chief Whip at this time. However, he still attended government meetings and had more duties as Minister of State.
On 14 June 2017, he was appointed Minister of State for the same departments again. This was under a new government led by Leo Varadkar.
Later Political Career
Paul Kehoe was not appointed to a ministerial role in the government formed on 27 June 2020. This government was a partnership between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Green Party.
In 2021, Paul Kehoe spoke about a government idea to give a bonus to frontline workers. He thought the idea was not good.
On 12 February 2024, Paul Kehoe announced that he would not run in the next general election. This meant he would not seek to be a TD again.
