|
Conor Lenihan (b.March 3, 1963), is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Conor Lenihan was born in Dublin. He was educated at Belvedere College, University College Dublin, Dublin City University and European Business School. Before his political career Lenihan worked as a senior executive with Esat Digifone (now O2). He also worked as a journalist with the Dublin radio station 98FM. While working in London he covered the House of Commons and lectured on European issues as a member of the European Commission’s Speakers panel. Lenihan was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1997. In Bertie Ahern's Cabinet reshuffle of 2004 he was appointed to his current position of Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights. Lenihan is also the editor of 'The Nation', the official publication for Fianna Fail.
Conor Lenihan is the son of former Fianna Fail Tanaiste Brian Lenihan. He has the distinction of being the third generation of his family to serve in the Irish parliament. His grandfather, Patrick Lenihan served as a TD in the early 1960s (unusually Paddy was elected to parliament while his son was already a member). Conor's aunt, Mary O'Rourke is the current Leader of Fianna Fail in the Seanad (Senate) while his brother, Brian Lenihan, Jr is also a Minister of State.
Footnotes
1 Irish Ministers of State are appointed by the government collectively, not by the President of Ireland, as is the case with cabinet ministers. The offices exist in statute law, not the Irish constitution.
|
