Brendan Howlin
Encyclopedia
Brendan Howlin is an Irish
Labour Party
politician who has served as a Teachta Dála
for Wexford
since 1987. Currently the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
, he previously served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle
, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Health.
, Howlin was the son of John and Molly Howlin (née Dunbar). Named after Brendan Corish, the local Labour
TD
, Howlin’s father was a trade union official who served as secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union
in Wexford for 40 years. He also secured election as a Labour member of Wexford Corporation, where he served for eighteen years, and was also election agent to Brendan Corish. Howlin’s mother was also strongly involved in local Labour politics.
Howlin grew up in Wexford town and was educated locally at Wexford CBS
. He later attended St Patrick's College, Drumcondra
, Dublin and qualified as a primary school teacher. During his career as a teacher he was active in the INTO
, before embarking on a career in full-time politics.
constituency and, in spite of the existence of a large left-wing vote in the area, Howlin failed to be elected. In spite of this setback, a Fine Gael
-Labour Party coalition government came to power and he was nominated by the Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald
to serve in Seanad Éireann
.
Howlin secured election to Wexford County Council
in 1985 and served as Mayor of Wexford in 1986.
In 1987 the Labour Party withdrew from the coalition government and a general election
was called. Howlin once again contested a seat in Wexford and was successful in securing election to Dáil Éireann
. Labour were out of office as a Fianna Fáil
government took office. In spite of his recent entry to the Dáil, Howlin was subsequently named chief whip
of the Labour Party, a position he held until 1993.
resulted in a hung Dáil
once again, however, the Labour Party enjoyed their best result to date. After much negotition a Fianna Fáil-Labour Party coalition government was the outcome. Howlin joined the cabinet
of Albert Reynolds
, taking over as Minister for Health. In spite of a short tenure, he was seen as one of the most effective office holders in years. The highlights of his tenure include the development of a four-year health strategy, the identifying of AIDS
as a priority and the securing of a £35 million investment in childcare. Howlin, however, was also targeted by anti-abortion groups after introducing an act which would allow information regarding abortion.
In 1994 the Labour Party withdrew from government after a disagreement over the appointment of Harry Whelehan as Attorney-General. No general election was called and, while it was hoped that the coalition could be revived under new Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern
, the arithmetic of the Dáil now allowed the Labour Party to open discussions with the opposition parties. After negotiations a Rainbow Coalition came to power involving Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left
. Howlin returned to John Bruton
's cabinet, this time as Minister for the Environment.
a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats
coalition government came to power and the Labour Party returned to the opposition benches. In the announcement of the party's new front bench, Howlin retained responsibility for the Environment.
In late 1997 Dick Spring
resigned as leader of the Labour Party and Howlin immediately threw his hat into the ring in the subsequent leadership election. In a straight choice between Howlin and Ruairí Quinn
, the former gained some early support, however, the leadership eventually went to Quinn by a significant and surprising majority. As a show of unity Howlin was later named deputy leader of the party and retained his brief as spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government.
In 2002, following Quinn's resignation as party leader after Labour's relatively unsuccessful 2002 general election campaign
, Howlin again stood for the party leadership. For the second time in five years Holwin was defeated for the leadership of the party, this time by Pat Rabbitte
, who was formerly a leading figure in Democratic Left. Howlin was succeeded as deputy leader by Liz McManus
.
While having been publicly supportive of Rabbitte's leadership, he was perceived as being the leader of the wing of the party which was sceptical of Rabbitte's policy with regard to future coalition with Fianna Fáil. Rabbitte explicitly ruled out any future coalition with Fianna Fáil, instead forming a formal alliance with Fine Gael in the run-up to the 2007 general election (the so-called Mullingar Accord).
On 26 June 2007, he was appointed the Leas-Cheann Comhairle
(Deputy Chairman) of Dáil Éireann.
works". "These are just some of the challenges that our society is facing in the coming decade - crisis or no crisis. In the good times, tackling them was going to be difficult. Today, in these difficult times, tackling them is going to be imperative." Mr Howlin said Ireland's was facing a profound and complex economic crisis "where we are fighting a battle on three fronts - mass unemployment, a major failure in banking, and a fiscal crisis".
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...
Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
politician who has served as 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...
for Wexford
Wexford (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
since 1987. Currently the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is the senior minister at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the Government of Ireland....
, he previously served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle
Ceann Comhairle
The Ceann Comhairle is the chairman of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. The person who holds the position is elected by members of the Dáil from among their number in the first session after each general election...
, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Health.
Early life
Born into a highly political family in WexfordWexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
, Howlin was the son of John and Molly Howlin (née Dunbar). Named after Brendan Corish, the local Labour
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
TD
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...
, Howlin’s father was a trade union official who served as secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union
Irish Transport and General Workers' Union
The Irish Transport and General Workers Union, an Irish trade union, was founded by James Larkin in 1908 as a general union. Initially drawing its membership from branches of the Liverpool-based National Union of Dock Labourers, from which Larkin had been expelled, it grew to include workers in a...
in Wexford for 40 years. He also secured election as a Labour member of Wexford Corporation, where he served for eighteen years, and was also election agent to Brendan Corish. Howlin’s mother was also strongly involved in local Labour politics.
Howlin grew up in Wexford town and was educated locally at Wexford CBS
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
. He later attended St Patrick's College, Drumcondra
Drumcondra, Dublin
Drumcondra is a residential area and inner suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It is administered by Dublin City Council.The River Tolka and the Royal Canal flow through the area.-History:...
, Dublin and qualified as a primary school teacher. During his career as a teacher he was active in the INTO
Into
Into , entering or changing form, may also refer to:*INTO University Partnerships, a British business*Into, an uncommon term for an injective function in mathematics*Into, an album by The Rasmus*Into, a male Finnish name...
, before embarking on a career in full-time politics.
Beginnings
Howlin contested his first national election at the November 1982 general election. He ran as a Labour candidate in the WexfordWexford (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
constituency and, in spite of the existence of a large left-wing vote in the area, Howlin failed to be elected. In spite of this setback, a 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...
-Labour Party coalition government came to power and he was nominated by the Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald was an Irish politician who was twice Taoiseach of Ireland, serving in office from July 1981 to February 1982 and again from December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD in 1969. He...
to serve in Seanad Éireann
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...
.
Howlin secured election to Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Wexford in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Chairman...
in 1985 and served as Mayor of Wexford in 1986.
In 1987 the Labour Party withdrew from the coalition government and a general election
Irish general election, 1987
The Irish general election of 1987 was held on 17 February 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 20 January. The newly-elected 166 members of the 25th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 10 March when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took place in...
was called. Howlin once again contested a seat in Wexford and was successful in securing election 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...
. Labour were out of office as a 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...
government took office. In spite of his recent entry to the Dáil, Howlin was subsequently named chief whip
Chief Whip
The Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.-The Whips Office:...
of the Labour Party, a position he held until 1993.
Cabinet minister (1993–97)
The 1992 general electionIrish 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...
resulted in a hung Dáil
Hung parliament
In a two-party parliamentary system of government, a hung parliament occurs when neither major political party has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament . It is also less commonly known as a balanced parliament or a legislature under no overall control...
once again, however, the Labour Party enjoyed their best result to date. After much negotition a Fianna Fáil-Labour Party coalition government was the outcome. Howlin joined the cabinet
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
of Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
, taking over as Minister for Health. In spite of a short tenure, he was seen as one of the most effective office holders in years. The highlights of his tenure include the development of a four-year health strategy, the identifying of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
as a priority and the securing of a £35 million investment in childcare. Howlin, however, was also targeted by anti-abortion groups after introducing an act which would allow information regarding abortion.
In 1994 the Labour Party withdrew from government after a disagreement over the appointment of Harry Whelehan as Attorney-General. No general election was called and, while it was hoped that the coalition could be revived under new Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
, the arithmetic of the Dáil now allowed the Labour Party to open discussions with the opposition parties. After negotiations a Rainbow Coalition came to power involving Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left
Democratic Left (Ireland)
Democratic Left was a democratic socialist political party active in Ireland between 1992 and 1999. It came into being after a split in the Workers' Party and, after just seven years in existence, it merged into the Irish Labour Party.-Origins:...
. Howlin returned to John Bruton
John Bruton
John Gerard Bruton is an Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 1994 to 1997. A minister under two taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave and Garret FitzGerald, Bruton held a number of the top posts in Irish government, including Minister for Finance , and Minister for Industry, Trade,...
's cabinet, this time as Minister for the Environment.
Leadership contender
Following the 1997 general electionIrish 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....
a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats
Progressive Democrats
The Progressive Democrats , commonly known as the PDs, was a pro-free market liberal political party in the Republic of Ireland.Launched on 21 December 1985 by Desmond O'Malley and other politicians who had split from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the Progressive Democrats took liberal positions on...
coalition government came to power and the Labour Party returned to the opposition benches. In the announcement of the party's new front bench, Howlin retained responsibility for the Environment.
In late 1997 Dick Spring
Dick Spring
Richard "Dick" Spring is an Irish businessman and former politician. He was first elected as a Labour Party Teachta Dála in 1981 and retained his seat until 2002. He became leader of the Labour Party in 1982, and held this position until 1997...
resigned as leader of the Labour Party and Howlin immediately threw his hat into the ring in the subsequent leadership election. In a straight choice between Howlin and Ruairí Quinn
Ruairi Quinn
Ruairi Quinn is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Minister for Education and Skills since March 2011. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South East constituency. He was Minister for Finance from 1994 to 1997, and leader of the Labour Party from 1997 to 2002.-Early...
, the former gained some early support, however, the leadership eventually went to Quinn by a significant and surprising majority. As a show of unity Howlin was later named deputy leader of the party and retained his brief as spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government.
In 2002, following Quinn's resignation as party leader after Labour's relatively unsuccessful 2002 general election campaign
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...
, Howlin again stood for the party leadership. For the second time in five years Holwin was defeated for the leadership of the party, this time by Pat Rabbitte
Pat Rabbitte
Pat Rabbitte is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources since March 2011...
, who was formerly a leading figure in Democratic Left. Howlin was succeeded as deputy leader by Liz McManus
Liz McManus
Elizabeth "Liz" McManus is a former Irish politician. She served as a Teachta Dála for the Wicklow constituency from 1992 to 2011.-Personal life:...
.
While having been publicly supportive of Rabbitte's leadership, he was perceived as being the leader of the wing of the party which was sceptical of Rabbitte's policy with regard to future coalition with Fianna Fáil. Rabbitte explicitly ruled out any future coalition with Fianna Fáil, instead forming a formal alliance with Fine Gael in the run-up to the 2007 general election (the so-called Mullingar Accord).
On 26 June 2007, he was appointed the Leas-Cheann Comhairle
Ceann Comhairle
The Ceann Comhairle is the chairman of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. The person who holds the position is elected by members of the Dáil from among their number in the first session after each general election...
(Deputy Chairman) of Dáil Éireann.
Cabinet minister (2011–present)
After the 2011 general election he was appointed to the new office of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In May 2011 he said that over the next 20 years the number of people in Ireland over 65 is set to increase by almost half a million, a situation that could see the annual health budget soar - rising by €12.5 billion in the next decade alone. While reform was a major part of Government attempts "to regain full sovereignty over economic policy", Mr Howlin told a meeting of the Association of Chief Executives of State Agencies they would in any event face key "imperatives" in coming years. He said a new public spending review, on which he had briefed the Cabinet in recent days, would not be a simple assessment of where to make cuts, but would also consider the way public sector services were delivered. Mr Howlin reiterated the Government's commitment not to cut public sector pay, "if the Croke Park AgreementCroke Park Agreement
The Croke Park Agreement is an agreement between the Irish Government and various public sector unions. It is named after Croke Park a large sporting area in Dublin where it was negotiated.-Background:The 2010 budget imposed pay cuts on public sector workers...
works". "These are just some of the challenges that our society is facing in the coming decade - crisis or no crisis. In the good times, tackling them was going to be difficult. Today, in these difficult times, tackling them is going to be imperative." Mr Howlin said Ireland's was facing a profound and complex economic crisis "where we are fighting a battle on three fronts - mass unemployment, a major failure in banking, and a fiscal crisis".