Phil Hogan

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Philip (Phil) Hogan (born July 4, 1960) is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He is currently the Fine Gael Spokesperson for Enterprise, Trade & Employment and a Teachta Dála (TD) for Carlow Kilkenny.

Phil Hogan was born in Kilkenny in 1960. He was educated locally in Kilkenny City and University College Cork where he qualified with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Hogan first became involved in politics at a local level as a member of Kilkenny County Council. He contested the 1987 general election but was unsuccessful. He was subsequently elected to Seanad Éireann, serving between 1987 and 1989. During this time Hogan acted as Fine Gael Spokesman on Justice and Industry & Commerce in the Upper House of the Oireachtas. In 1989 Hogan was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time and has retained his seat ever since. He has held a number of Opposition Front Bench positions including spokesperson on the Food Industry (1989-1991), Consumer Affairs (1991-1993), Regional Affairs & European Development (1993-1994).

Between December 1994 and February 1995 Hogan served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works. Following his resignation from this post he became Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, a position he held until 2001. Hogan then became Director of Organisation of Fine Gael in the run-up to the 2002 geenral election. When Michael Noonan resigned as leader of Fine Gael after the party's disastrous results in that election, Hogan was a candidate in the subsequent leadership election. He lost out to Enda Kenny but was appointed Spokesperson for Enterprise, Trade & Employment in Fine Gael's new front bench.

Preceded by Martin Gibbons (Progressive Democrats)	Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Carlow-Kilkenny 1989–	Succeeded by Current Incumbent
Preceded by Noel Dempsey	Minister of State at the Department of Finance 1994–1995	Succeeded by Jim Higgins