John Browne (Fianna Fáil)
Encyclopedia
John Browne is an Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Wexford constituency
since 1982. He is a former Minister of State
(Junior Minister). His most recent role was as Minister of State with special responsibility for Fisheries at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2007–2008).
in 1948. He was educated locally at St Mary's Christian Brothers
School in Enniscorthy
. Browne worked as a salesman before becoming involved in politics and was also an inter-county hurler
for Wexford
.
Browne is married to Judy and has three children, a fourth child died some years ago.
His uncle Seán Browne
, was also a TD, who was first elected in 1957. He retired due to ill health. As his nephew, John Browne, effectively 'inherited' his seat. John Browne has topped the poll in the constituency of Wexford on a number of occasions.
. Browne was first elected to Dáil Éireann
at the November 1982 general election for the constituency of Wexford
and has been re-elected at every election since.
Over his career Browne has held a number of government and opposition positions. Not long after his election he was appointed assistant Chief Whip
. When Fianna Fáil
returned to power in 1987 he remained on the backbenches however. The election of Albert Reynolds
as Taoiseach
in 1992 saw Browne become Minister of State
at the Department of Agriculture and Food with special responsibility for the Food Industry. In 1993 he was moved to the post of Minister of State at the Department of the Environment with special responsibility for Environmental Protection, serving in that position until 1994.
In 1997 Fianna Fáil
were back in power, however, Browne remained on the backbenches. In 2002 he received a promotion to the post of Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. In Bertie Ahern
's Cabinet reshuffle of 2004 Browne became Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, serving under Mary Coughlan, Ireland's first female Agriculture Minister. Following a junior ministerial reshuffle in February 2006 Browne returned to his previous department, where he served as Minister of State with responsibility for the Marine. Browne has also served as Chairman of a number of Oireachtas
Committees, including, Agriculture, Marine, Social Affairs, and Finance.
After the 2007 general election, he was appointed as Minister of State for Fisheries
, the office was previously known as Minister of State with special responsibility for the Marine.
On 13 May 2008, shortly after Brian Cowen
became Taoiseach
, Browne lost his position as Minister of State for Fisheries in a major re-shuffle by the new leader – he was not appointed to any other junior ministry.
He is currently the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Marine and Fisheries. Browne was involved in controversy in November 2011 when it emerged he received a pension from his time as a junior minister at the Department of Agriculture worth €10,981 over 12 months despite still being a sitting TD.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the Wexford constituency
Wexford (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
since 1982. He is a former Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
(Junior Minister). His most recent role was as Minister of State with special responsibility for Fisheries at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2007–2008).
Early and private life
John Browne was born in Marshalstown, County WexfordCounty Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
in 1948. He was educated locally at St Mary's Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
School in Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
. Browne worked as a salesman before becoming involved in politics and was also an inter-county hurler
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
for Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
.
Browne is married to Judy and has three children, a fourth child died some years ago.
His uncle Seán Browne
Seán Browne
Seán Browne was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency — first elected in 1957.-Early and private life:Browne was a prominent member of the GAA...
, was also a TD, who was first elected in 1957. He retired due to ill health. As his nephew, John Browne, effectively 'inherited' his seat. John Browne has topped the poll in the constituency of Wexford on a number of occasions.
Political career
Browne first became involved in politics in 1979 when he was elected to Enniscorthy Urban District Council and to Wexford County CouncilWexford County Council
Wexford County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Wexford in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Chairman...
. Browne was first elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
at the November 1982 general election for the constituency of Wexford
Wexford (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
and has been re-elected at every election since.
Over his career Browne has held a number of government and opposition positions. Not long after his election he was appointed assistant Chief Whip
Chief Whip
The Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.-The Whips Office:...
. When Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
returned to power in 1987 he remained on the backbenches however. The election of Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
as Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
in 1992 saw Browne become Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
at the Department of Agriculture and Food with special responsibility for the Food Industry. In 1993 he was moved to the post of Minister of State at the Department of the Environment with special responsibility for Environmental Protection, serving in that position until 1994.
In 1997 Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
were back in power, however, Browne remained on the backbenches. In 2002 he received a promotion to the post of Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. In Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
's Cabinet reshuffle of 2004 Browne became Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, serving under Mary Coughlan, Ireland's first female Agriculture Minister. Following a junior ministerial reshuffle in February 2006 Browne returned to his previous department, where he served as Minister of State with responsibility for the Marine. Browne has also served as Chairman of a number of Oireachtas
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas , sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the "national parliament" or legislature of Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of:*The President of Ireland*The two Houses of the Oireachtas :**Dáil Éireann...
Committees, including, Agriculture, Marine, Social Affairs, and Finance.
After the 2007 general election, he was appointed as Minister of State for Fisheries
Minister of State (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry)
The Minister of State, who had special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry, officially styled as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food , was a junior ministerial post in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Ireland.The junior...
, the office was previously known as Minister of State with special responsibility for the Marine.
On 13 May 2008, shortly after Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
became Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
, Browne lost his position as Minister of State for Fisheries in a major re-shuffle by the new leader – he was not appointed to any other junior ministry.
He is currently the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Marine and Fisheries. Browne was involved in controversy in November 2011 when it emerged he received a pension from his time as a junior minister at the Department of Agriculture worth €10,981 over 12 months despite still being a sitting TD.