Paul Kehoe

Paul Kehoe (born 11 January 1973) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wexford constituency since 2002. He was appointed Chair of the Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in September 2020. He previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Defence from 2011 to 2020 and Government Chief Whip from 2011 to 2016.[1][2]

For the New York politician, see L. Paul Kehoe.

Paul Kehoe

TD
Chair of the Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Assumed office
15 September 2020
Preceded byNew office
Minister of State at the Department of Defence
In office
9 March 2011 – 27 June 2020
TaoiseachEnda Kenny
Leo Varadkar
Preceded byJohn Curran
Succeeded byJack Chambers
Government Chief Whip
In office
9 March 2011 – 6 May 2016
TaoiseachEnda Kenny
Preceded byJohn Curran
Succeeded byRegina Doherty
Teachta Dála
Assumed office
May 2002
ConstituencyWexford
Personal details
Born (1973-01-11) 11 January 1973
Bree, County Wexford, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse(s)Brigid O'Connor (m. 2007)
Children3
Alma materKildalton Agricultural College
Websitepaulkehoe.com

Early and private life

Kehoe was born in Bree, County Wexford, in 1973. He is the son of Myles and Bernadette Kehoe.[3] He was educated at St. Mary's CBS, Enniscorthy, and Kildalton Agricultural College, County Kilkenny.[2] Kehoe is also a farmer.[1] He is married to Brigid O'Connor, of Taghmon.[3]

Political career

Kehoe was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD for the Wexford constituency at the 2002 general election.[4] In June 2002, Enda Kenny became Leader of Fine Gael and Kehoe was appointed Fine Gael Spokesperson for Communications, Marine and Environment. He has also served as Fine Gael Assistant Chief Whip. He was re-elected at the 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2020 general elections.[4]

He was appointed as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence on 9 March 2011. Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in May 2016, Kehoe retained his post as Minister of State at the Department of Defence, but not Government Chief Whip.

During the 2020 general election, Kehoe's office was targeted by protestors from the Air Corps who encouraged voters to not give him any preference votes.[5]

Kehoe was not appointed to ministerial office in the coalition government formed in June 2020 by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.[6]

References
  1. "Paul Kehoe". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  2. "Paul Kehoe TD". Fine Gael website. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  3. "Everything just Fine' on TD Paul's big day". New Ross Standard. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  4. "Paul Kehoe". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  5. Michael, Neil. "Protestors encourage voters not to give Paul Kehoe any preference votes". Irish Examiner.
  6. Bray, Jennifer. "Eight high-profile Fine Gael ministers have lost their Cabinet positions". Irish Times.
Oireachtas
Preceded by
Michael D'Arcy
(Fine Gael)		 Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Wexford
2002–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
John Curran		 Government Chief Whip
2011–2016		 Succeeded by
Regina Doherty
Minister of State at the Department of Defence
2011–2020		 Succeeded by
Jack Chambers
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