Noel Dempsey

Noel Dempsey (born 6 January 1953) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Transport from 2007 to 2011, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources from 2004 to 2007, Minister for Education and Science from 2002 to 2004, Minister for the Environment and Local Government from 1997 to 2002, Minister of State at the Department of Finance from 1993 to 1994, Minister of State at the Department of Defence and Government Chief Whip from 1992 to 1994.

Dempsey was born in Trim, County Meath, in 1953.

He is one of twelve sons born and educated locally at Scoil Naomh Brid in Boardsmill and St. Michael's CBS in Trim.

Dempsey later attended University College Dublin where he was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a diploma in career guidance.

He subsequently completed a Higher Diploma in Education at St Patrick's College, Maynooth and worked as a career guidance teacher for many years.

Dempsey is married to Bernadette Rattigan and they have four children – two sons and two daughters.

He is also a member of the Gaelic Athletic Association and is a keen supporter of the Meath Gaelic football team as well as his local club teams.

He has also been a member of Macra na Feirme and Muintir na Tíre.

Dempsey first became involved in politics in the early 1970s when he joined Ógra Fianna Fáil, the youth wing of Fianna Fáil.

He later attended and spoke at the first-ever national conference of Ógra in 1973.

Within three years of this Dempsey was co-opted onto Meath County Council as a Fianna Fáil County Councillor in 1977, following the death of John Bird.

It was Fianna Fáil's first by-election victory since 1985.

At the time he was the youngest ever member of that authority and he later served as the youngest ever chairman of the council in 1986.

Dempsey enhanced his local political profile at this time by also serving as a member of Trim Urban District Council.

He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1987 to 2011.

Dempsey was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1987 general election as a Fianna Fáil TD for Meath.

Shortly after being elected, he became a member of the Public Accounts Committee, one of the most high-profile committees in the Oireachtas.

Dempsey was initially a supporter of the Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey; however, he became disillusioned with his leadership when he led Fianna Fáil into coalition with the Progressive Democrats following the 1989 general election.

He was one of a number of TDs who were vehemently opposed to such a move.

As a result of this Dempsey remained on the backbenches.

In September 1991, Dempsey was a key member of the so-called "gang of four" which proposed a motion of no confidence in Charles Haughey as the leader of the party.

The other members of the group were Seán Power, Liam Fitzgerald and M. J. Nolan.

Dempsey supported Albert Reynolds in his unsuccessful bid to oust Haughey on that occasion.

In 1992, Reynolds eventually became party leader and Taoiseach and Dempsey's loyalty was rewarded by being appointed Minister of State with responsibility as government Chief Whip.

He also took charge of the Office of Public Works.

He served in these positions until the resignation of Reynolds as Taoiseach and the collapse of the Fianna Fáil-Labour Party in 1994.

In December 1994, Bertie Ahern became leader of Fianna Fáil as the party moved into opposition.

Dempsey was appointed to the front bench as Spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government.

During this period in opposition, he was heavily involved in key election strategies, most notably in the Dublin West by-election which was won by Brian Lenihan Jnr.

Following the 1997 general election Dempsey was a key player in helping to negotiate a programme for government between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.

When Bertie Ahern became Taoiseach Dempsey was appointed to the position of Minister for the Environment and Local Government.

His tenure as Minister has been described as one of reform and modernisation, with Frank McDonald of The Irish Times even describing Dempsey as the best holder of the environment portfolio since the position was created.

His first major success was the election of Mary McAleese to the position of President of Ireland in 1997.

Two years later in 1999 he presided over the most successful local election campaign for the party ever.

Some of Dempsey's major achievements as Minister include the introduction of the Local Government Act 2000 which was seen as the most comprehensive reform of local government in Ireland for over a century.

One of his best-known initiatives was the introduction of a levy on plastic shopping bags leading to a reduction in the usage of these bags and a serious decrease in the litter problem related to these plastic bags.

Dempsey also proposed to end the 'dual mandate' whereby a person can serve as a county councillor and hold another elected office at the same time.

This proposal, however, led to severe opposition from the Independent TDs who supported the government at the time and had to be deferred.

The legislation eventually became law in 2003.

During his tenure as Minister, Dempsey continued to serve as the Fianna Fáil director of elections.