Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd TD |
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|---|---|
 |
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| Minister of State for the NewEra Project | |
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In office 10 March 2011 – 15 July 2014 |
|
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Teachta Dála | |
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Assumed office May 2002 |
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| Constituency | Louth |
| Senator | |
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In office 12 September 1997 – 30 May 2002 |
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| Constituency | Administrative Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1 September 1948 Thurles, Tipperary, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse(s) | Agnes O'Dowd |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | NUI Maynooth |
Fergus O'Dowd (born 1 September 1948) is an Irish Fine Gael politician and a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Louth constituency, upon being elected at the 2002 general election. He previously served as Minister of State for the NewEra Project from 2011 to 2014.
O'Dowd was born in Thurles, County Tipperary. He was educated by the Christian Brothers in Drogheda, County Louth. He currently lives in the town. He served three terms as Chairman of Drogheda Town Council: 1977–78, 1981–82 and 1994–95. He served on Louth County Council between 1979 and 2003.
O'Dowd is married to Agnes O'Dowd and they have three sons. He is a brother of Niall O'Dowd, publisher of the Irish Voice newspaper in New York City. Another brother, Michael O'Dowd, ran against him for Renua at the 2016 general election. Yet another brother lives in France.
A teacher before entering politics, O'Dowd was elected to Seanad Éireann on the Administrative Panel in 1997. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2002 general election, on his fourth attempt. He was immediately appointed Fine Gael spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. He was party spokesperson on Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2004 to 2007, and on Transport and Marine from 2007 to 2010. In June 2010, he supported Richard Bruton's leadership challenge to Enda Kenny. Following Kenny's victory in a motion of confidence, O'Dowd was appointed as party spokesperson on Education and Skills.
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