How qualified are Irish politicians to do their jobs?
In the United States, Cabinet Ministers are often experts in their field.
Current Defence Secretary Lloyd James Austin III is a former Commanding General of United States Forces in Iraq.
Meanwhile Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen once chaired the Federal Reserve.
In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is a former Director of Public Prosecutions and Chancellor Rachel Reeves is a former Bank of England economist.
On Newstalk Breakfast, DCU Director of Public Policy Dr Eoin O'Malley said he believes the Irish political class is much more less diverse than it once was.
Taoiseach Simon Harris
Simon Harris dropped out of his journalism degree at DIT in 2008 to work in Leinster House as an assistant to Senator Frances Fitzgerald.
He was elected a TD in 2011 and made a Junior Minister in the Department of Finance in 2014.
Earlier this year, he became leader of Fine Gael and was confirmed as Taoiseach by the Dáil.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence studied history at UCC and became a teacher for one year afterwards.
He was first elected a TD in 1989 and served in a variety of ministerials roles under Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers
Minister Chambers studied law at Trinity College and then completed a postgraduate medicine at RCSI.
Shortly afterwards, he was elected a TD in 2016 and was appointed a Junior Minister when Fianna Fáil entered Government in 2020.
Jack Chambers receives his seal of office from the President of Ireland, President Michael D. Higgins, in Áras an Uachtaráin today with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin (right). Photo: Leah Farrell/ © RollingNews.iePublic Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe
Minister Donohoe studied politics and economics at Trinity College and then went on to work as Commercial Director for Procter & Gamble prior to his election as a local councillor in 2007 and a TD in 2011.
He joined the Government in 2013 as Minister of State for Europe.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee
Minister McEntee studied law, politics and economics and DCU and, prior to her election as a TD in 2013, she spent time working as a civil servant and for a subsidiary of Citibank.
She became a Junior Minister in the Department of Health in 2016.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan
Minister Ryan studied commerce at UCD and then founded a cycle tourism company and the Dublin Cycling Campaign.
First elected a TD in 2002, he served as a Minister under Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen between 2007 and 2011.
Eamon Ryan taking questions at a press confrence. Picture: David CreedonEducation Minister Norma Foley
A graduate of UCC, Minister Foley worked as a teacher prior to her election as a TD in 2020.
Following the formation of the current coalition in 2020, she was appointed Minister for Education.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly
Minister Donnelly graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from UCD and also obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration in International Development at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Before his election as a TD in 2011, he worked as a mechanical engineer and management consultant. He was appointed Minister for Health in 2020.
Tourism Minister Catherine Martin
Minister Martin is a graduate of NUI Maynooth and worked as a teacher prior to her election as a TD in 2016.
She was appointed to her current position in 2020 following the formation of the current coalition.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien
After he left school, Minister O'Brien worked in financial services.
He was elected as a TD in 2007 and appointed Minister for Housing in 2020.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue
Minister McConalogue studied economics, politics and history at UCD.
Before his election in 2011, he worked for Fianna Fáil and on the family farm. He was appointed a Minister in 2020.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue at the Guinness World Record attempt. September 20, 2023. ((PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo))Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys
Prior to her election in 2011, she worked for the Credit Union and was appointed as a Junior Minister in 2014.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke
Minister Burke studied commerce at NUI Galway and then worked as a chartered accountant.
He was elected a TD in 2016 and appointed a Minister of State in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2020.
Higher Education Minister Patrick O'Donovan
Minister O'Donovan studied chemistry in UCC and then worked as an industrial chemist.
He was elected a TD in 2011 and joined the Government as
Government Buildings.
Dr O'Malley said the careers of current Government Ministers look strikingly different to those of the 20th century.
“In the past, 50 years ago, you would have seen that most politicians were publicans, undertakers, schoolteachers and had a variety of backgrounds that they came from,” he said.
“Whereas now, Simon Harris is a prime example of this, he didn’t finish university but he went straight in to become a political adviser to a Government Minister and then went to the Dáil.
“You’re increasingly seeing a large number of the political class are in that hive where they’ve never really been out in the real world.”
Dr O’Malley said this is “kind of dangerous” as it means they are less likely to encounter opinions that challenge them.
“One of the advantages back in the day of backbench TDs who were publicans, was that they were hearing a lot of what people were actually thinking,” he said.
“Whereas now, if you’re only in that hive… you only [hear one point of view].”
One area where Irish politics is more diverse than in previous years is gender - with a record 36 women TDs elected in 2020.
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Main image: Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister Eamon Ryan. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie
