Billy Kelleher
Encyclopedia
Billy Kelleher is an Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Cork North Central
constituency since 1997.
He was educated at Sacred Heart College, Carrignavar, County Cork
and Agricultural College Pallaskenrey, County Limerick
. He was an unsuccessful candidate at the 1992 general election
but was nominated by the Taoiseach to the 20th Seanad
in 1993. Kelleher was first elected to Dáil Éireann
at the 1997 general election
and retained his seat both at the 2002
and 2007 general elections.
He was the Minister of State
with special responsibility for Trade and Commerce from 2009–11. He previously served as the Minister of State
with special responsibility for Labour Affairs
from 2007–09. He was previously the assistant Government Chief Whip
.
In January 2006 Kelleher became embroiled in a minor controversy when he was caught speeding outside Cashel, County Tipperary
on his way to Dáil Éireann
. He was fined and received two penalty points on his driving licence. The misdemeanour was particularly ironic as it came in the same week when the government was coming under fire for a poor road safety record.
He retained his seat at the 2011 Irish general election, despite an opinion poll from The Irish Times
which predicted that he was in danger of losing his seat.
He is married to Liza Davis and they have two daughters. He is a cousin of former Fine Gael
TD Liam Burke
.
He is currently the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Health. He has called for a rise in the legal age to purchase alcohol from off-licences.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the Cork North Central
Cork North Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Cork North–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
constituency since 1997.
He was educated at Sacred Heart College, Carrignavar, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Agricultural College Pallaskenrey, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
. He was an unsuccessful candidate at the 1992 general election
Irish general election, 1992
The Irish general election of 1992 was held on Wednesday, 25 November 1992, almost three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 5 November. However, after difficulties in forming a government the newly elected 166 members of the 27th Dáil did not assemble at Leinster House until 4 January 1993...
but was nominated by the Taoiseach to the 20th Seanad
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
in 1993. Kelleher was first elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
at the 1997 general election
Irish general election, 1997
The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, 6 June 1997. The 166 newly elected members of the 28th Dáil assembled on 26 June 1997 when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
and retained his seat both at the 2002
Irish general election, 2002
The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday, 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern...
and 2007 general elections.
He was the Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
with special responsibility for Trade and Commerce from 2009–11. He previously served as the Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
with special responsibility for Labour Affairs
Minister of State (with special responsibility for Labour Affairs)
The Minister of State, who had special responsibility for Labour Affairs, was officially styled Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment , and was a junior ministerial post in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment of the Government of Ireland...
from 2007–09. He was previously the assistant Government Chief Whip
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach
The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, officially styled as the Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip, is the Chief Whip of the Government of Ireland and is the most senior Minister of State...
.
In January 2006 Kelleher became embroiled in a minor controversy when he was caught speeding outside Cashel, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
on his way to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
. He was fined and received two penalty points on his driving licence. The misdemeanour was particularly ironic as it came in the same week when the government was coming under fire for a poor road safety record.
He retained his seat at the 2011 Irish general election, despite an opinion poll from The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
which predicted that he was in danger of losing his seat.
He is married to Liza Davis and they have two daughters. He is a cousin of former Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
TD Liam Burke
Liam Burke
Liam Burke was an Irish Fine Gael politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the constituency of Cork North Central. Burke was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election for Cork City North West. After the constituencies were redrawn, he stood at the 1977 general election in the new...
.
He is currently the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Health. He has called for a rise in the legal age to purchase alcohol from off-licences.