Noel O'Flynn
Encyclopedia
Noel O'Flynn is a former Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He was a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Cork North Central
constituency from 1997 to 2011.
He was first elected to Dáil Éireann
at the 1997 general election
. He was re-elected, topping the poll, at the 2002 general election
, and retained his seat at the 2007 general election.
Before the 2002 general election, O'Flynn stated that "some asylum-seekers in Cork
were spongers, freeloaders and conmen."
He was Chairman of the Oireachtas
Joint Committee on Communications Marine and Natural Resources from 2002–2007. He is also a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committees on European Scrutiny and on Foreign Affairs.
O'Flynn served on Cork City Council
from 1991–2003 having been re-elected in 1991 and 1999 in the North Central electoral area. He resigned his seat in July 2003 because of the dual mandate
rules which prohibit members of the Oireachtas from sitting on a Local authority. The seat was filled by the co-option of his son Gary O'Flynn.
He was educated at Regional Technical College, Cork
. He is married to Frances O'Keeffe and they have three sons, including Kenneth O'Flynn who was co-opted onto Cork City Council in December 2008, and was re-elected in June 2009.
In January 2011, he announced that he would not contest the 2011 general election. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin
had asked O'Flynn not to run for the sake of the party as he believed there would only be one seat for Fianna Fáil in the constituency.
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,...
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 was 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 from 1997 to 2011.
He 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....
. He was re-elected, topping the poll, 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...
, and retained his seat at the 2007 general election.
Before the 2002 general election, O'Flynn stated that "some asylum-seekers in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
were spongers, freeloaders and conmen."
He was Chairman of the Oireachtas
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas , sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the "national parliament" or legislature of Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of:*The President of Ireland*The two Houses of the Oireachtas :**Dáil Éireann...
Joint Committee on Communications Marine and Natural Resources from 2002–2007. He is also a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committees on European Scrutiny and on Foreign Affairs.
O'Flynn served on Cork City Council
Cork City Council
Cork City Council is the local authority which is responsible for the city of Cork and its immediate hinterland in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment...
from 1991–2003 having been re-elected in 1991 and 1999 in the North Central electoral area. He resigned his seat in July 2003 because of the dual mandate
Dual mandate
A dual mandate is the practice in which elected officials served in more than one elected or other public position simultaneously. This practice is known as double jobbing in Britain and distinguished from double dipping in the United States For example, suppose a...
rules which prohibit members of the Oireachtas from sitting on a Local authority. The seat was filled by the co-option of his son Gary O'Flynn.
He was educated at Regional Technical College, Cork
Cork Institute of Technology
Cork Institute of Technology , formerly the Regional Technical College, Cork, is an Institute of Technology in Ireland, located in Cork, Ireland opened in 1973. The institute has 17,000 students in art, business, engineering, music and science disciplines...
. He is married to Frances O'Keeffe and they have three sons, including Kenneth O'Flynn who was co-opted onto Cork City Council in December 2008, and was re-elected in June 2009.
In January 2011, he announced that he would not contest the 2011 general election. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin
Micheál Martin
Micheál Martin is an Irish politician who has been leader of Fianna Fáil since January 2011. He is a Teachta Dála for the Cork South Central constituency...
had asked O'Flynn not to run for the sake of the party as he believed there would only be one seat for Fianna Fáil in the constituency.