Regina Doherty
Regina Doherty (born 26 January 1971) is an Irish Fine Gael Senator who previously served as Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection from June 2017 to June 2020. She was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Meath East constituency from 2011 to 2020. She previously served as Government Chief Whip from 2016 to 2017.[1]
Regina Doherty | |
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Senator | |
Assumed office 27 June 2020 | |
Constituency | Nominated members of Seanad Éireann |
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection | |
In office 14 June 2017 – 27 June 2020 | |
Taoiseach | Leo Varadkar |
Preceded by | Leo Varadkar |
Succeeded by | Heather Humphreys |
Government Chief Whip | |
In office 6 May 2016 – 14 June 2017 | |
Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
Preceded by | Paul Kehoe |
Succeeded by | Joe McHugh |
Teachta Dála | |
In office February 2011 – February 2020 | |
Constituency | Meath East |
Personal details | |
Born | Finglas, Dublin, Ireland | 26 January 1971
Nationality | Irish |
Political party | Fine Gael |
Spouse(s) | Declan Doherty (m. 1997) |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | |
Website | reginadoherty |
Career
Politics
Doherty was a member of the Meath County Council for the Dunshaughlin local electoral area from 2009 to 2011.[2] She was a member of the Oireachtas committees for Health, Finance and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement during the 31st Dáil. She was also a member of the Constitutional Convention,[3] and was the Chairperson of the Fine Gael committee for health and children. In May 2015, following the claims of IRA involvement of the cover-up of sexual abuse by Máiría Cahill, she was provided with names of a number of alleged abusers which she passed on to the Gardaí who are investigating the issue.[4] She was re-elected to the Dáil at the 2016 general election. She was appointed to the new Dáil reform committee on 22 March 2016.[5] Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in May 2016, Doherty was appointed to the cabinet as Government Chief Whip.[6]
In July 2017, Doherty confirmed[7] that she had lodged a complaint with the Garda Síochána against political blogger and academic Catherine Kelly. Kelly said that she was cautioned by Gardaí about her social media posts and online articles,[8] which referenced Regina Doherty.[9] In the Dáil it was stated that a US based academic experienced a "sinister and chilling experience" in an Irish airport where she was detained by gardaí and told not to tweet about Ms Doherty or publish any material relevant to her again.[10] On 14 June 2017, she was appointed Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. In September 2017, it was revealed that she was going to repay an "unlawful" allowance of €15,800 that she received as Government Chief Whip in direct contravention of the law which states that “no allowance can be paid to a party whip if the person is a Minister or Minister of State”.[11]
In January 2018, Doherty announced the launch of the consultation process under the review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015, to further expanding the Gender Recognition Act to include those under 18 and non-binary people.[12] In May 2018, Doherty participated in the Opening Plenary Session - Listening Today for Better Social Policies Tomorrow, in the OECD Policy forum in Canada.[13]
In January 2019, Doherty briefed the Irish Cabinet, warning that while her department was well fixed to pass emergency legislation to continue social welfare payments in the event of Brexit, the UK may not be. It is understood that the British Government has agreed in principle to continue all payments, although the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd, has been unable to guarantee that the necessary legislation will be passed by 29 March 2019.[14] Also in January 2019, Doherty was appointed director of elections for Fine Gael for the 2019 European elections.[15]
On 27 June 2020 She was appointed to Seanad Éireann by Taoiseach Micheál Martin[16]
Business
In January 2013, her IT consultancy company went into liquidation with debts of €280,000, including €60,000 due to the Revenue Commissioners.[17]
References
- "Regina Doherty". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- "Regina Doherty". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- http://www.yourforum.ie/ratoath/roundup/articles/2012/11/27/4013467-doherty-to-take-part-in-constitutional-convention
- http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/gardai-now-probe-leaks-about-ira-sex-abusers-31267047.html
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/ceann-comhairle-hopeful-on-substantial-reforms-in-next-d%C3%A1il-sitting-1.2583686
- "Regina Doherty of Meath East is the new Chief Whip", independent.ie, 6 May 2016
- "Doherty protests blogger to gardai" journal.ie 3 July 2017
- "Chilling" broadsheet.ie, 3 July 2017
- "Kelly is reported to be considering legal action over Garda caution at airport"
- "The Dáil has heard that a US based academic experienced a "sinister and chilling experience" in an Irish airport last week."
- Regina Doherty to repay €15,800 allowance
- "GCN.IE"
- "OECD"
- "Irish Independent"
- "Meath Chronicle"
- "Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces his 11 Seanad nominees". The Journal. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- O'Donovan, Donal; Kelly, Fiach (23 January 2013). "Fine Gael TD's firm folds with debts of €280,000". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
External links
Oireachtas | ||
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Preceded by Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil) |
Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Meath East 2011–2020 |
Succeeded by Darren O'Rourke (Sinn Féin) |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Paul Kehoe |
Government Chief Whip 2016–2017 |
Succeeded by Joe McHugh |
Preceded by Leo Varadkar as Minister for Social Protection |
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection 2017–present |
Incumbent |