1. Charles McCreevy was born on 30 September 1949 and is an Irish former Fianna Fail politician who served as European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services from 2004 to 2010, Minister for Finance from 1997 to 2004, Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1993 to 1994 and Minister for Social Welfare from 1992 to 1993.
Charlie McCreevy served as a Teachta Dala for the Kildare constituency from 1977 to 2004.
Charlie McCreevy studied commerce at University College Dublin and went on to become a chartered accountant.
Charlie McCreevy's family background was modest, his father and ancestors since the late 18th century was a lock-keeper on the Grand Canal, a job carried on by his mother, after the death of his father, when McCreevy was four years old.
Charlie McCreevy's political career began with when he won a seat in the Kildare constituency at the 1977 general election, which was a landslide for Charles Haughey's supporters in Fianna Fail and he was re-elected at every subsequent election until he joined the European Commission.
However, in a time of severe budgetary difficulties for Ireland, Charlie McCreevy soon became disillusioned with the new Taoiseach and his fiscal policies.
In October 1982, Charlie McCreevy launched a motion of no-confidence in the party leader, which evolved into a leadership challenge by Desmond O'Malley.
In 1992, Albert Reynolds became Taoiseach and Charlie McCreevy was appointed Minister for Social Welfare.
In opposition under new Fianna Fail leader Bertie Ahern, Charlie McCreevy was appointed Opposition Spokesperson for Finance.
In 1997, Fianna Fail returned to power and Charlie McCreevy became Minister for Finance.
Charlie McCreevy was a consistent advocate of cutting taxes and spending.
Charlie McCreevy maintained a significant surplus during his seven years in Finance by forecasting tax takes which were lower than average.
For example, Charlie McCreevy once referred to the Irish health system as a "black hole" and reacted to the initial Irish rejection of the Nice Treaty as "a sign of a healthy democracy".
Charlie McCreevy later explained this as reflecting a wake-up call to politicians and others who, like him, had expected an almost automatic Yes vote.
In 2008, as Ireland entered recession, Charlie McCreevy's stewardship has been cited as one of the reasons why the global financial crisis hit Ireland especially hard, due to his "light touch" regulation of the financial system.
In 2015, Charlie McCreevy gave evidence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Inquiry into the country's banking crisis and denied his policies as minister had contributed to the crisis.
In 2004, Charlie McCreevy was selected by the Government of Ireland to replace David Byrne as Ireland's European Commissioner.
Charlie McCreevy was appointed to the Internal Market and Services portfolio, by President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.
Charlie McCreevy informed them that he had campaigned for the ratification of every European Treaty since 1972.
When McCreevy resigned his Dail seat on his appointment to the European Commission, his son, Charlie Jnr, declined the opportunity to be the Fianna Fail candidate in the resulting by-election.
Charlie McCreevy sided with the major record labels who are trying to extend a fifty-year copyright exemption to ninety five years.
In 2008, Charlie McCreevy was a supporter of attempts to introduce software patents in the European Union.
In October 2007, Charlie McCreevy, commenting on the Northern Rock Bank's loss of investor confidence, claimed that banking regulations in the UK which forces banks to be open to scrutiny from outside investors, caused the panic.
Charlie McCreevy said if access to the banks dealings "had been restricted", then the trouble could have been avoided.
Charlie McCreevy was heavily criticised in the European Parliament, by the leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, who demanded on 17 June 2008, that Charlie McCreevy be removed as a European Commissioner.
Charlie McCreevy joined the board of Sports Direct International plc on 31 March 2011 and is a director of Ryanair.