Mark H. Durkan

Mark Henry Durkan^[1][2] (born 3 March 1978)^[3] is a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) politician in Northern Ireland and is the current Minister of the Environment who was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011 representing the Foyle constituency.^[4][5] He is a nephew of former SDLP leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan.

Work

Mark Henry Durkan was elected to Derry City Council in 2005 topping the poll with 2369 first preference votes.^[6] He served on council until May 2011 sitting on the Western Health & Social Care Board and Western Education and Library Board.^[7] When elected to the Assembly in May 2011 he served as his party's health spokesman from May 2011 to April 2012, and campaigned on the outbreak in January 2012 of pseudomonas in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital (Belfast), and at Altnagelvin Area Hospital (Derry), which claimed the lives of several infants.^[8] It was on the NI Assembly's Social Development Committee from May 2011 to July 2013 where he really came to the fore working tirelessly and effectively on issues such as housing and to protect the most vulnerable in society from the negative impacts the Welfare Reform Bill.^[9] As Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan has proposed reforms to the NI Planning system in order to make it fairer, faster and more fit for purpose.^[10] He is also considering an outright ban on election posters.^[11] His objective as Minister is to create a better environment and a stronger economy.

Personal life

In his spare time, he regularly gives his time to charitable causes, which led him to compete in Ballroom and Latin Dancing competitions in his hometown.^[12] and White Collar Boxing bouts^[13] He is also a running enthusiast having completed several half marathons and the first ever Walled City Marathon in Derry on 2 June 2013.^[14][15] Mark is a passionate supporter of Doire GAA and Derry City FC. He is also an Everton FC fan. He married Anne Carlin on 13 July 2013 ^[16] and has a son called Luke.

References