Barry Ward (politician)
Irish politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barry Ward (born 1976/1977) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since the 2024 general election. He previously served as a Senator on the Industrial and Commercial Panel from 2020 to 2024.[2][3]
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Barry Ward | |
|---|---|
Ward in 2024 | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office November 2024 | |
| Constituency | Dún Laoghaire |
| Senator | |
| In office 29 June 2020 – 30 November 2024 | |
| Constituency | Industrial and Commercial Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1976/1977 (age 48–49)[1] Dublin, Ireland |
| Party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse | Aoife Ward |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | barryward |
Early life and education
Ward is originally from Deansgrange and is a senior counsel.[4][1] He is a graduate of University College Dublin, serving as auditor of the Literary and Historical Society from 1998 to 1999 and the Young Progressive Democrats in the same academic year.[5]
Political career
Ward worked as a legal advisor to Enda Kenny, prior to seeking public office.
He was elected as a member of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council at the 2009 local elections. In 2011, he stood unsuccessfully at the Seanad election for the Administrative Panel.[6][7] In 2012, he received over €10,000 from the council to finance an M.A. in economic policy from Trinity College Dublin.[8] In 2016, Ward organised a John A. Costello commemoration in Deans Grange Cemetery.[9] In 2020, he came to media attention when he proposed a ban on single-use plastics in takeaways in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown.[10] He also promoted the proposed Sutton-to-Sandycove greenway.[11]
Ward stood unsuccessfully in Dún Laoghaire at the 2020 general election; he won 9.2% of first preference votes and finished seventh.[12][13][14]
Ward was elected at the 2020 Seanad election as a senator for the Industrial and Commercial Panel.[3][15]
At the 2024 general election, Ward was elected to the Dáil. He was subsequently appointed Cathaoirleach of the Committee on European Union Affairs.[16]
Personal life
Ward lives in Deansgrange.[17]
