Alex White (Irish politician)

Last updated

2012–2014
Mary Corcoran
​
(m. 1989)​
Alex White
Alex White TD 2014 (cropped).jpg
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
In office
11 July 2014 –6 May 2016		 Health
Children2
Education Chanel College
Alma mater

Alex White (born 3 December 1958) is an Irish lawyer and a former Labour Party politician. Since January 2023 he has been Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs, a think-tank based in Dublin. White served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2014 to 2016, Minister of State for Primary Care from 2012 to 2014 and Leader of the Labour Party in the Seanad 2007 to 2011. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South constituency from 2011 to 2016. He was a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 2007 to 2011. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

White grew up in Marino, Dublin. He was educated at Chanel College, Coolock, and later at Trinity College Dublin and King's Inns. He was called to the Bar in 1987. [3]

White was a student activist in Trinity College, where he was president of the Students' Union and also for a time a supporter of various Trotskyist groupings, including the League for a Workers Republic. [4] He was later a national officer of the Union of Students in Ireland. During his time as a producer with RTÉ, he was active in the SIPTU trade union. In common with Mary McAleese, he was attacked and criticised by a group led by Eoghan Harris and associated with the Workers' Party, over what they perceived as their bias towards Republican groups in the North. [5] White was a strong opponent of Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act, which prevented Sinn Féin members from being heard. White has a long record of involvement in campaigns to further the equal rights of women. He actively campaigned for divorce in 1986 and 1995, and was a Director of Elections for the Anti-Amendment campaign on the North side of Dublin in 1983. [6]

Political career

He was first elected to South Dublin County Council in 2004, for the Terenure-Rathfarnham local electoral area. He was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2007 general election in the Dublin South constituency. [7]

White was nominated as a general election candidate in 2007, by the Labour Party leadership. He had voted for a coalition with Fine Gael in a Labour Party congress (the line of Pat Rabbitte, then leader of the party). His election to the Seanad was due to a voting pact with Sinn Féin. [8]

He was the Labour Party candidate in the 2009 by-election in Dublin South. [9] He came second behind the former RTÉ economics editor George Lee. [7] White was his party's Seanad group leader and Spokesperson on Children between 2007 and February 2011, when he was elected to the Dáil. He subsequently was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. [10]

White was leader of an Oireachtas delegation that met the Bundestag's Budgetary and European Affairs committees in Berlin in late January 2012. [11]

White was formally nominated for the position of Minister of State for Primary Care by Eamon Gilmore on 27 September 2012, following the resignation of Róisín Shortall. [12]

Following the resignation of Eamon Gilmore as Leader of the Labour Party, in the aftermath of Labour's poor result at the 2014 local and European elections, White announced his candidacy for the party leadership. On 4 July 2014, Joan Burton was elected as Labour Party leader, defeating White by 77% to 22%. [13]

Alex White played a key role in the 2015 marriage equality referendum campaign. [14]

On 11 July 2014, he was appointed Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. [15]

White lost his seat at the 2016 general election. [7] He remained Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources during prolonged talks on government formation. [16]

In June 2017, he was co-opted to fill a vacancy on Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council.

In January 2019, White was selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Dublin constituency in the 2019 European Parliament election. [17] He got 18,293 first-preference votes (5.0%) but was not elected.

White returned full-time to the Irish Bar in 2016 and continues to practise as a Senior Counsel. He was recently chair of the Employment Bar Association. In January 2023 he was appointed as Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Party (Ireland)</span> Irish political party

The Green Party is a green political party that operates in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It holds a pro-European stance. It was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. The party became the Green Alliance in 1983 and adopted its current English language name in 1987 while the Irish name was kept unchanged. The party leader is Roderic O'Gorman, the deputy leader is Senator Róisín Garvey and the cathaoirleach (chairperson) is Pauline O'Reilly. Green Party candidates have been elected to most levels of representation: local government, Dáil Éireann, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the European Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labour Party (Ireland)</span> Irish political party

The Labour Party is a centre-left and social democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. Founded on 28 May 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin, and William O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trades Union Congress, it describes itself as a "democratic socialist party" in its constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Rabbitte</span> Irish former Labour Party leader (b. 1949)

Pat Rabbitte is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party from 2002 to 2007 and a Minister of State from 1994 to 1997. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South-West constituency from 1989 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruairi Quinn</span> Irish former politician (born 1946)

Ruairi Quinn is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Education and Skills from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party from 1997 to 2002, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1989 to 1997, Minister for Finance from 1994 to 1997, Minister for Enterprise and Employment from 1993 to 1994, Minister for the Public Service from 1986 to 1987, Minister for Labour from 1983 to 1986, Minister of State for Urban Affairs and Housing from 1982 to 1983. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South-East constituency from 1977 to 1981 and 1982 to 2016. He was a Senator from 1976 to 1977, after being nominated by the Taoiseach and again from 1981 to 1982 for the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 Irish general election</span> Election to the 20th Dáil

The 1973 Irish general election to the 20th Dáil was held on Wednesday, 28 February 1973, following the dissolution of the 19th Dáil on 5 February by President Éamon de Valera on the request of Taoiseach Jack Lynch. The general election took place in 42 Dáil constituencies throughout Ireland for 144 seats in Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Éamon Ó Cuív</span> Irish politician (born 1950)

Éamon Ó Cuív is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency since the 1992 general election. He previously served as Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil from 2011 to 2012, as Minister for Social Protection from 2010 to 2011, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from 2002 to 2010, and as a Minister of State from 1997 to 2002. He also served as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Minister for Defence from January to March 2011, appointed to these positions in addition to his own on the resignation of other members of the government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivana Bacik</span> Leader of the Irish Labour Party (born 1968)

Ivana Catherine Bacik is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Leader of the Labour Party since 24 March 2022 and a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Bay South constituency since winning a by-election on 9 July 2021. Bacik previously served as Leader of the Labour Party in the Seanad from 2011 to 2021, and a Senator for the Dublin University constituency from 2007 to 2021. She previously served as Deputy leader of Seanad Éireann from 2011 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Keating</span> Irish politician (1930–2009)

Justin Pascal Keating was an Irish Labour Party politician, broadcaster, journalist, lecturer and veterinary surgeon. In later life he was president of the Humanist Association of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joan Burton</span> Irish former politician (born 1949)

Joan Burton is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Tánaiste and Leader of the Labour Party from 2014 to 2016, Minister for Social Protection from 2011 to 2016, Deputy leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2014, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1997 and Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare from 1993 to 1994. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin West constituency from 1992 to 1997 and 2002 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eamon Gilmore</span> Irish former Labour Party leader (born 1955)

Eamon Gilmore is a European Union diplomat, and an Irish former Labour Party politician. He serves as European Union Special Representative for Human Rights since February 2019. He is also the European Union Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process since 2015. He was Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2014, Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe from 2012 to 2013, Minister of State at the Department of the Marine from 1994 to 1997. He was a Teachta Dála for the Dún Laoghaire constituency from 1989 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Róisín Shortall</span> Irish politician (born 1954)

Róisín Shortall is an Irish Social Democrats politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin North-West constituency since 1992. She was previously founding joint leader of the Social Democrats from 2015 to 2023 and served as Minister of State for Primary Care from 2011 to 2012.

Derek McDowell is an Irish former Labour Party politician. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1992 to 2002, and member of Seanad Éireann from 2002 to 2007.

The 30th Dáil was elected at the 2007 general election on 24 May 2007 and met on 14 June 2007. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland, are known as TDs. It sat with the 23rd Seanad as the two Houses of the Oireachtas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Irish general election</span> Election to the 31st Dáil

The 2011 Irish general election took place on Friday 25 February to elect 166 Teachtaí Dála across 43 constituencies to Dáil Éireann, the lower house of Ireland's parliament, the Oireachtas. The Dáil was dissolved and the general election called by President Mary McAleese on 1 February, at the request of Taoiseach Brian Cowen. The 31st Dáil met on 9 March 2011 to nominate a Taoiseach and approve the new ministers of the 29th government of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Reilly (Irish politician)</span> Irish former Fine Gael politician

James Reilly is an Irish former Fine Gael politician, businessman and medical doctor who served as a Senator from May 2016 to March 2020. He previously served as Acting Minister for Children and Youth Affairs from February to May 2016, Minister for Health from March 2011 to July 2014 and deputy leader of Fine Gael from 2010 to 2017. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin North constituency from 2007 to 2016. He subsequently announced his retirement from politics after he lost his bid for election for his old seat at the 2020 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominic Hannigan</span> Irish former politician (born 1965)

Dominic Hannigan is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Meath East constituency from 2011 to 2016. He was a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2007 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seanad Éireann</span> Upper house of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament)

Seanad Éireann is the senate of the Oireachtas, which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann.

The 31st Dáil was elected at the 2011 general election on 25 February 2011 and first met at midday on 9 March 2011 in Leinster House. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland, are known as TDs. It sat with the 24th Seanad as the two Houses of the Oireachtas.

The 32nd Dáil was elected at the 2016 general election on 26 February and first met at 10.30 a.m. on 10 March 2016. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland, are known as TDs. It sat with the 25th Seanad as the two Houses of the Oireachtas.

The 33rd Dáil was elected at the 2020 general election on 8 February 2020 and first met on 20 February 2020. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland, are known as TDs. It is sitting with the 26th Seanad as the Houses of the Oireachtas. There are 160 TDs in the 33rd Dáil, an increase of 2. The 33rd Dáil has lasted 1,643 days to date.

References

  1. ↑ "Taoiseach says new Cabinet to focus on jobs". RTE.ie. 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "Alex White". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "Alex White: Biography". alexwhite.ie. Archived from the original on 5 February 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Section 31 saved many young men of 20 from PIRA". Sunday Independent . 8 January 2012. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Hanley, Brian; Millar, Scott (26 March 2009). The lost revolution: the story of the official IRA and the workers' party. Penguin Ireland. ISBN   978-1-84488-120-8. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "The Story of Alex White". The White Board | Alex White TD. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 "Alex White". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 10 June 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "Labour and SF discuss voting pact to elect senators". The Irish Times . 7 July 2007. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  9. ↑ "In short". The Irish Times . 22 October 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  10. ↑ "Party spokespersons". Labour.ie. Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  11. ↑ "Oireachtas delegation in Bundestag meeting". RTÉ News . 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "Eamon Gilmore proposes Alex White to replace Roisin Shortall". RTÉ News . 27 September 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "Need to govern with more heart, says Joan Burton". RTÉ News . 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  14. ↑ "White says Yes vote won't lead to 'apocalypse' for marriage". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  15. ↑ "Live: Cabinet reshuffle". RTÉ News . 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  16. ↑ McGrath, Meadhbh (6 May 2016). "Revealed: The salaries TDs pocketed over 10 weeks of government talks". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  17. ↑ "Labour selects Alex White for Dublin MEP contest". Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of State for Primary Care
2012–2014		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
2014–2016		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.