Charles Flanagan
Encyclopedia
Charles "Charlie" Flanagan (born 1 November 1956) is an Irish
Fine Gael
politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Laois–Offaly constituency.
Flanagan was first elected to Dáil Éireann
at the 1987 general election
, succeeding his father Oliver J. Flanagan
. He retained his seat at each election until losing it at the 2002 general election
, but regained his seat for Laois–Offaly at the 2007 general election. He was a member of Laois County Council
from 1985 until he stepped down in 2004. He was party spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007–10, and was the party spokesperson on Children from 2010–11.
He has been chairperson of the Fine Gael parliamentary party since June 2011.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
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...
politician. He is currently 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 Laois–Offaly constituency.
Flanagan 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 1987 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...
, succeeding his father Oliver J. Flanagan
Oliver J. Flanagan
Oliver J. Flanagan was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served in Dáil Éireann for 43 years and was Minister for Defence for six months. He was elected to the Dáil fourteen times between 1943 and 1982, topping the poll on almost every occasion...
. He retained his seat at each election until losing it at the 2002 general election
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...
, but regained his seat for Laois–Offaly at the 2007 general election. He was a member of Laois County Council
Laois County Council
Laois County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Laois 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 Cathaoirleach...
from 1985 until he stepped down in 2004. He was party spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007–10, and was the party spokesperson on Children from 2010–11.
He has been chairperson of the Fine Gael parliamentary party since June 2011.