Pat "the Cope" Gallagher

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher (Irish: Pádraigh Ó Gallchóir; born March 10, 1948), is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is a TD for Donegal South West and is currently the Minister of State at the Department of Transport.

Pat Gallagher was born in Burtonport, County Donegal. He was educated at Roshine N.S Dungloe, Luinneach N.S. Gweedore, Dungloe High School, St Enda's College, Galway and University College, Galway where he graduated with a B.Comm. in 1970. Gallagher worked as a fish exporter until 1982, becoming involved in local politics in 1979. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in the 1981 general election, retaining his seat until retiring at the 1997 election. Gallagher was appointed Minister of State for Marine & Gaeltacht in 1987, serving in that post until 1994.

In 1994 he was elected to the European Parliament as an MEP for Connacht/Ulster and was re-elected in 1999. During his period in Europe, Gallagher was a member of a number of committees including Fisheries, Economic & Monetary and Industry & Energy. He returned to domestic politics to successfully contest the 2002 General Election and he was appointed Minister of State at the Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In Bertie Ahern's Cabinet reshuffle in 2004 he received the portfolio of Minister for the Marine. Following an unhappy period in this role Gallagher was moved to the Department of Transport in February 2006 where he serves as Minister of State.

His somewhat unusual nickname "The Cope" refers to his family connection to The Cope agricultural co-operative which operates in The Rosses area of Donegal. This nickname is even used officially, in his profile on the Department of Transport website.

Preceded by Newly created constituency	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Donegal South West 1981 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by Newly created office	Minister of State (with special responsibility for the Marine) 1987–1989	Succeeded by Michael J. Noonan
Preceded by Denis Gallagher	Minister of State (with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht) 1989–1994	Succeeded by Office suspended
Preceded by Michael J. Noonan	Minister of State (with special responsibility for the Marine) 1992–1993	Succeeded by Gerry O'Sullivan
Preceded by Dan Wallace	Minister of State (with special responsibility for Environmental Protection) 2002–2004	Succeeded by Batt O'Keeffe
Preceded by John Browne	Minister of State (with special responsibility for the Marine) 2004–2006	Succeeded by John Browne
Preceded by Ivor Callely	Minister of State (with special responsibility for Traffic Management, Road Haulage and the Irish Aviation Authority) 2006 – present	Incumbent