Róisín Shortall

Róisín Shortall (born 25 April 1954) is an Irish politician. She sits as an independent Teachta Dála (TD) after she resigned from the Parliamentary Labour Party in September 2012. She has been a TD for the Dublin North–West constituency since November 1992,^[1] and was the Minister of State for Primary Care from 2011 to 2012.

Early life

Shortall was born and raised in Drumcondra, Dublin. She was educated at Dominican College, Eccles Street; University College Dublin, and Marino Institute of Education, Marino. She worked as a teacher for the deaf before seeking public office. She first held public office in 1991 when she was elected to Dublin City Council for the Drumcondra local electoral area.

Dáil Éireann

Shortall was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1992 general election, when the Labour Party won a record 33 seats. She retained her seat at the 1997, 2002, 2007 and the 2011 general elections.^[2] She is a former party spokesperson for Social and Family Affairs.

On 10 March 2011, she was appointed as Minister of State for Primary Care.

Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no confidence in her senior minister James Reilly on 3 September 2012 after yet more cuts in the health service.^[3] Shortall addressed the Dáil during this motion and did not indicate her support for him or mention his name once,^[4] though she did vote against the motion. She resigned as Minister of State for Primary Care on 26 September 2012, and also resigned the Parliamentary Labour Party whip.^[5]

References

External links

• Official website