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Mary Hanafin (born June 1959) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and is currently the Minister for Education & Science. She has been a TD for Dún Laoghaire since 1997. Hanafin has previously served as Government Chief Whip.
Mary Hanafin was born in Thurles, County Tipperary in June 1959. She was educated at Presentation Convent, Thurles, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth and Dublin Institute of Technology where she received a diploma in legal studies. Hanafin worked as a secondary school teacher before before she became involved in politics. In 1980 she became a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive and in 1985 she was elected to Dublin City Council. Hanafin was unsuccessful in her bid to be elected to Dáil Éireann in 1989. In 1993 she was appointed National Treasurer of the Fianna Fáil Party.
Hanafin was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time as a Fianna Fáil TD in 1997. In January 2000 she was appointed Minister of State with resoponsibility for Children at the Departments of Health & Children; Justice, Equality & Law Reform; and Education & Science. In 2002 she was re-elected, topping the poll in the Dún Laoighaire area constituency. She was subsequently appointed Minister of State at the Departments of An Taoiseach and Defence. She is currently the Minister for Education & Science.
Hanafin is the daughter of a long-time Fianna Fáil Senator, Des Hanafin.
Cabinet Positions
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