Noel Dempsey
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Noel Dempsey (Irish: Nollaig Ó Díomasaigh; born 6 January 1953) is a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for Meath and Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources. Dempsey has previously served as Minister for the Environment and Local Government (1997-2002) and Minister for Education & Science (2002-2004).
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[edit] Early life
Noel Dempsey was born in Trim, County Meath in 1953. He was educated at Scoil Naomh Brid, Boardsmill, St. Michael’s Christian Brothers, St. Patrick's College Maynooth and at University College Dublin where he qualified with a Bachelor of Arts and worked as a career guidance councillor. Dempsey became involved in local politics in 1977 when he was elected to Meath County Council as a Fianna Fáil candidate. In 1986 he became the youngest ever Chairman of the Council. The following year in 1987 Dempsey was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time. He was initially a supporter of Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey; however he became disillusioned with his leadership when he led Fianna Fáil into coalition with the Progressive Democrats in 1989. Dempsey was one of a number of TDs vehemently opposed to such a move.
[edit] Political Life
In September 1991 Dempsey was a key member of the so-called "gang of four" which proposed a motion of no confidence in Haughey as the leader of his party. The other members of the group were Seán Power, Liam Fitzgerald and M.J. Nolan. Dempsey supported Albert Reynolds in his unsuccessful bid to oust Haughey on that occasion. In 1992 Reynolds eventually came to power and Dempsey became Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Departments of An Taoiseach, Defence and Finance. During this period he was Minister in charge of the Office of Public Works. Fianna Fáil lost power in 1994 and Bertie Ahern became the new leader. Dempsey was named as Opposition Spokesman for the Environment in Ahern's Front Bench. During this period in opposition Dempsey was involved in key election strategies, first of all in the Dublin West by-election which saw Brian Lenihan, Jr being elected and secondly he was director of elections for Mary McAleese's successful presidential campaign in 1997. Earlier in 1997 Dempsey was a key figure in the negotiations which led to the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition government. He joined the Cabinet when he was appointed Minister for Environment and Local Government.
In 2002 the government was re-elected and Dempsey became Minister for Education and Science. In early 2003 Dempsey revealed his political ambition when he announced that should the position become available he would seek the leadership of the Fianna Fáil party and the Taoiseachship. In a cabinet reshuffle in 2004 Dempsey was appointed Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources.
[edit] Career history
Dempsey has become known for proposing radical change, often not seeing iniatives through personally, but leaving them for his successors in office to implement. He proposed the abolition of the dual mandate which is widely agreed to be a positive move in Irish political culture, however his proposal to reintroduce fees for the third level college almost resulted in his resignation, after widespread protest from virtually every section of society. It is unlikely that such a policy will ever be implemented.
In the mid 1990's he became embroiled in a public disagreement with the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Michael D. Higgins, regarding plans to build a number of interpretative centres in environmentally sensitive areas around the country.
He was instrumental in bringing the world famous movie Braveheart to Ireland using the innovative approach of offering Ireland's FCA (reserve defence forces) to the film-makers as extras. Whether this is the proper use of the State's Defence Forces was a talking point at the time.
Whilst in the local government portfolio he attempted to remove the "dual mandate" whereby someone can be a public representative in the national parliament and on a county council. He had to withdraw from this attempt at reform. He also attempted to reform medical education by instructing the Higher Education Authority to report on the issue. Again this proposal was taken by Minister Hanafin, his successor in education, and almost brought to completion.
Dempsey has also had to withdraw other proposals due to lack of support within his own party. For example the re-imposition of third-level fees and other reforms of Dáil Éireann.
Dempsey is remembered for his innovative plastic bag tax - a scheme whereby the government charges a levy on every plastic shopping bag. This is widely regarded as an exemplar of environmental policy affecting positive behaviour change in the population.
In a radio interview on November 2, 2005, Dempsey said he would put Meath back on Track, and that work would commence on the Navan railway line immediately. Barry Kenny from Iarnród Éireann said a few minutes later on LMFM that this would not be the case as the state hadn't yet bought back the land. Either way, the www.meathontrack.com intends to ensure that this election promise is kept.
[edit] Political career
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jim Fitzsimons |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Meath 1987– |
Succeeded by Current Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Dermot Ahern |
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) 1992-1994 |
Succeeded by Seán Barrett |
| Minister of State at the Department of Defence 1992-1994 |
||
| Preceded by Noel Treacy |
Minister of State at the Department of Finance 1993–1994 |
Succeeded by Phil Hogan |
| Preceded by Minister for the Environment Brendan Howlin |
Minister for Environment & Local Government 1997–2002 |
Succeeded by Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government Martin Cullen |
| Preceded by Michael Woods |
Minister for Education & Science 2002–2004 |
Succeeded by Mary Hanafin |
| Preceded by Dermot Ahern |
Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources 2004– |
Succeeded by Current Incumbent |
