Mary Mitchell O'Connor
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Mary Mitchell O'Connor | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Mitchell O'Connor in 2017 | |
| Minister of State | |
| 2017–2020 | Education and Skills |
| Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation | |
| In office 6 May 2016 – 14 June 2017 | |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | Richard Bruton |
| Succeeded by | Frances Fitzgerald |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 2011 – February 2020 | |
| Constituency | Dún Laoghaire |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mary O'Connor 10 June 1959 Milltown, County Galway, Ireland |
| Party | Fine Gael |
| Other political affiliations | Progressive Democrats (2004–2007) |
| Spouse |
Joe Mitchell
(m. 1984; div. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | |
| Website | marymitchelloconnor |
Mary Mitchell O'Connor (born 10 June 1959) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Minister of State from 2017 to 2020 and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation from 2016 to 2017. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency from 2011 to 2020.[1][2][3]
Born Mary O'Connor in Milltown, County Galway. She graduated from Carysfort College and NUI, Maynooth, and worked as a teacher. She was appointed principal of Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne, County Meath. In 1999, she became school principal at The Harold School, Glasthule, a position she held until her election to the Dáil.
She lives in Cabinteely, Dublin. She is divorced and has two sons from her marriage.[4][5][6]
Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council: 2004–2011
In 2004, as a Progressive Democrats candidate, she was elected to Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council.[7] As a councillor, she campaigned against the reintroduction of university fees, against the budget-related increase in pupil-teacher ratios. In 2006, when the Maritime Museum closed, she called on the council to financially support it.[8]
In December 2007, she resigned from the Progressive Democrats and joined Fine Gael.[9] Welcoming her to the party, Enda Kenny said that it was "the first move by a Progressive Democrats public representative to join an alternative party since the general election". Mitchell O'Connor said that she "made a decision on how best to represent the people that elected me".[10] In 2008–2009, she was Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Area Committee for Transport, Economic Development and Planning.[11]
In June 2009, she was re-elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. She was the Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Area Committee for Environment, Housing, Culture, Community Development and Amenities.[11]
In August 2010, she called for a reform of Dáil Éireann, so that women can work efficiently there.[12] She campaigned for the eviction of men who are perpetrators of domestic violence.[13]