33 Facts About Alan Dukes

Alan Dukes was born on 1945 and is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communication from 1996 to 1997, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Fine Gael from 1987 to 1990, Minister for Justice from 1986 to 1987, Minister for Finance from 1982 to 1986 and Minister for Agriculture from 1981 to 1982.

Alan Dukes served as a Teachta Dala from 1981 to 2002.

Alan Dukes held several major government positions, and is one of the few TDs to be appointed a Minister on their first day in the Dail.

Alan Dukes lost his seat in the 2002 general election.

Alan Dukes was appointed Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs, and chairman of Anglo Irish Bank.

Alan Dukes's grandfather had served with the Royal Engineers in World War I, and settled in Cork and then Kerry afterwards where he worked with the Post Office creating Ireland's telephone network.

Alan Dukes developed a keen interest in the Irish language.

Alan Dukes was educated by the Christian Brothers at Colaiste Mhuire, Dublin, and was offered a number of scholarships for third level on graduation, including one for the Irish language.

Alan Dukes became an economist with the Irish Farmers' Association in Dublin in 1969.

Alan Dukes had strong support among the farming community, but the entry of farming leader T J Maher as an independent candidate hurt his chances of election.

Alan Dukes stood again for Fine Gael at the 1981 general election in the expanded Kildare constituency, where he won a seat in the 22nd Dail.

Alan Dukes was again called into the cabinet becoming Minister for Finance less than two years into his Dail career.

Alan Dukes faced a difficult task as Finance Minister at this time.

Alan Dukes remained in the Department of Finance until a reshuffle in February 1986 when he was appointed the Minister for Justice.

Outgoing Taoiseach and leader Garret FitzGerald stepped down and Alan Dukes was elected leader of Fine Gael.

However, at a snap election in 1989 Alan Dukes did not receive electoral credit for his statesmanlike approach, and the party only made minor gains, gaining four seats.

Alan Dukes received little credit for the Tallaght Strategy, and the party's failure to make significant gains in 1989 left some Fine Gael TDs with a desire for a change at the top of the party.

Alan Dukes had been a leading member of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association movement in the 1960s, and had been a member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party before moving south.

Alan Dukes was replaced as party leader by John Bruton.

In February 1994, Alan Dukes became involved in a failed attempt to oust Bruton as leader, and subsequently resigned from the front bench.

Bruton became Taoiseach in December 1994, but Alan Dukes failed to secure a ministerial position despite being one of the most high-profile and experienced members of Fine Gael.

Two years later, in December 1996, Alan Dukes returned as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications following the resignation of Michael Lowry.

At the 1997 general election, Alan Dukes topped the poll in the new Kildare South constituency, but Fine Gael lost power.

Alan Dukes became Chairman of the Irish Council of the European Movement; in this position he was very involved in advising many of the Eastern European countries who were then applying to join the European Union.

Many local commentators felt that Alan Dukes' loss was down to a lack of attention to local issues, for he was highly involved in European projects and had always enjoyed a national profile.

Alan Dukes retired from frontline politics that year, and was appointed Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs.

Alan Dukes remained active within Fine Gael, and served a number of terms as the party's vice-president.

From 2001 to 2011, Alan Dukes was President of the Alliance Francaise de Dublin, and in June 2004, the French Government appointed him Officier de la Legion d'Honneur.

In January 2009, Alan Dukes was a judge on the TG4 reality TV show Feirm Factor.

From 2011 to 2013, Alan Dukes served as chairman of the Board of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

In 2011, Alan Dukes founded the think tank Asia Matters, which inked an agreement with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in May 2019.

Alan Dukes has lived in Kildare town since first being elected to represent the Kildare constituency in 1981.

Alan Dukes's wife Fionnuala is a former local politician and served as a member of Kildare County Council from 1999 until her retirement in 2009.