Bernard Durkan

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Bernard Durkan (born March 1945) is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for Kildare North and Fine Gael Spokesperson for Communications & Natural Resources.

Bernard Durkan was born in Killasser, County Mayo, and educated at St. John's, Carramore, County Mayo.

He was elected to Dáil Éireann for the Kildare constituency in the 1981 general election, but lost his seat in the February 1982 general election following the defeat of the Fine Gael-Labour coalition. He was then elected as a member of the 16th Seanad by the Agricultural Panel.

Durkan regained his Dáil seat in the November 1982 general election, and was re-elected in the 1987, 1989, and 1992 general elections. When the Kildare constituency was divided, he was elected in the 1997 general election for the new constituency of Kildare North, and retained his seat in the 2002 election.

During his career as a member of Dáil Éireann he has held several Front Bench portfolios in Fine Gael, including Health, Food, Trade & Industry, Insurance, Overseas Development Aid and Human Rights. The last time the Party was in power Durkan served as Minister of State for Social Welfare.

Durkan has also served as Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Affairs and as a member of the Public Accounts Committee. He has also acted as a Member of the Eastern Health Board, and Chairman and member of Kildare County Council. Before receiving his current post he served as Fine Gael Chief Whip.

This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database