Terry Leyden
Encyclopedia
Terry Leyden is an Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. Formerly a Teachta Dála
(TD), he is currently a member of Seanad Éireann
.
He was elected to Roscommon County Council
in 1974, and re-elected in 1979 and 1985. Leyden was elected to Dáil Éireann
on his first attempt, at the 1977 general election
, when he was returned to the 21st Dáil as TD for the Roscommon–Leitrim constituency. He was returned for the new Roscommon
constituency at the 1981 general election
, and re-elected a further four times before losing his seat at the 1992 general election
in the new Longford–Roscommon constituency.
From March to December 1982, he served as Minister of State
at the Department of Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Health from 1987–89, and as Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce from 1989–92.
Following his Dáil defeat, he then sat very briefly in the 19th Seanad, having been nominated by the Taoiseach on 2 December 1992. After the 19th Seanad last sat on 17 December 1992, he stood unsuccessfully in the 1993 election to Seanad Éireann
on the Administrative Panel, and was unsuccessful again in 1997 on the Industrial and Commercial Panel.
In 1999 Leyden was re-elected to Roscommon County Council, a position that he held until the ending of the dual mandate
, when his seat was taken by his daughter, Orla Leyden. Leyden was also a member of the Western Health Board from 1992–2002, and was Chairman in 2001–2002.
He was re-elected to the Seanad in July 2007 and is Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson on European Affairs and Integration Policy.
In May 2010 he invoked Parliamentary Privilege
and accused Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole
of incitement to riot, which O'Toole denies. This came about as a result of the latter's addressing of a demonstration against the Bank Bailouts proposed by the Government, which later turned violent.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
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. Formerly 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), he is currently a member of Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
.
He was elected to Roscommon County Council
Roscommon County Council
Roscommon County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Roscommon 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...
in 1974, and re-elected in 1979 and 1985. Leyden was 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...
on his first attempt, at the 1977 general election
Irish general election, 1977
The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in twentieth century Irish politics. The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. The number of...
, when he was returned to the 21st Dáil as TD for the Roscommon–Leitrim constituency. He was returned for the new Roscommon
Roscommon (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Roscommon was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1923 to 1969 and from 1981 to 1992...
constituency at the 1981 general election
Irish general election, 1981
The Irish general election of 1981 was held on 11 June 1981, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 21 May. The newly elected 166 members of the 22nd Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 30 June when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
, and re-elected a further four times before losing his seat at the 1992 general election
Irish general election, 1992
The Irish general election of 1992 was held on Wednesday, 25 November 1992, almost three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 5 November. However, after difficulties in forming a government the newly elected 166 members of the 27th Dáil did not assemble at Leinster House until 4 January 1993...
in the new Longford–Roscommon constituency.
From March to December 1982, he served as 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 Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Health from 1987–89, and as Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce from 1989–92.
Following his Dáil defeat, he then sat very briefly in the 19th Seanad, having been nominated by the Taoiseach on 2 December 1992. After the 19th Seanad last sat on 17 December 1992, he stood unsuccessfully in the 1993 election to Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
on the Administrative Panel, and was unsuccessful again in 1997 on the Industrial and Commercial Panel.
In 1999 Leyden was re-elected to Roscommon County Council, a position that he held until the ending of the dual mandate
Dual mandate
A dual mandate is the practice in which elected officials served in more than one elected or other public position simultaneously. This practice is known as double jobbing in Britain and distinguished from double dipping in the United States For example, suppose a...
, when his seat was taken by his daughter, Orla Leyden. Leyden was also a member of the Western Health Board from 1992–2002, and was Chairman in 2001–2002.
He was re-elected to the Seanad in July 2007 and is Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson on European Affairs and Integration Policy.
In May 2010 he invoked Parliamentary Privilege
Parliamentary privilege
Parliamentary privilege is a legal immunity enjoyed by members of certain legislatures, in which legislators are granted protection against civil or criminal liability for actions done or statements made related to one's duties as a legislator. It is common in countries whose constitutions are...
and accused Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole
Fintan O'Toole
Fintan O'Toole is a columnist, assistant editor and drama critic for The Irish Times. He has written for The Irish Times since 1988 and was drama critic for the New York Daily News from 1997 to 2001. He is a literary critic, historical writer and political commentator, with generally left-wing views...
of incitement to riot, which O'Toole denies. This came about as a result of the latter's addressing of a demonstration against the Bank Bailouts proposed by the Government, which later turned violent.