1. Bernard J Durkan was born on 26 March 1945 and is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dala for the Kildare North constituency from 1997 to 2024, and previously from 1982 to 1997 and 1981 to 1982 for the Kildare constituency.
Bernard Durkan previously served as Minister of State for Social Welfare from 1994 to 1997.
Bernard Durkan was a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from May 1982 to November 1982.
Bernard Durkan was born in Killasser, Swinford, County Mayo, in 1945.
Bernard Durkan's son Tim Durkan is a Fine Gael politician having been elected to Kildare County Council in 2014 for the Maynooth electoral area.
Bernard Durkan retained his seat as a councillor at the 2019 and 2024 local elections.
Bernard Durkan was elected to Kildare County Council in 1976 and was a member until 1994, serving as chairman from 1986 to 1987.
Bernard Durkan was then subsequently elected as a member of the 16th Seanad as a Senator for the Agricultural Panel.
Bernard Durkan regained his Dail seat at the November 1982 general election, and was re-elected at the 1987,1989, and 1992 general elections.
Bernard Durkan topped the poll in the 2011 general election.
Bernard Durkan was re-elected at the 2016 general election and 2020 general election, retaining his seat on both occasions on the final count.
Bernard Durkan served as Minister of State for Social Welfare from 1994 to 1997.
Bernard Durkan currently serves as vice-chairman of the Joint Oireachtas on Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and as a member of the Joint Committee on European Affairs.
Bernard Durkan has previously acted as the chairman on the Oireachtas Committee of European Affairs and a member of the Eastern Health Board.
In 2010, Bernard Durkan refused to defer the drawing of his ministerial pension while still being paid as a TD.
Bernard Durkan instead decided to donate this pension to charity.
In 2023, Bernard Durkan called for an inquiry into the usage of parental alienation in family law cases, which he described as a "pseudo-condition".
Bernard Durkan lost his seat at the 2024 general election.