20 Facts About Rory O'Hanlon

Rory O'Hanlon was born on 7 February 1934 and is a former Irish Fianna Fail politician who served as Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann from 2002 to 2007, Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dail Eireann from 1997 to 2002, Minister for the Environment from 1991 to 1992, Minister for Health from 1987 to 1991 and Minister of State for Social Welfare Claims in 1982.

Rory O'Hanlon's father was a member of the Fourth Northern Division of the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence.

Rory O'Hanlon was educated at Mullaghbawn National School, before later attending St Mary's College, Dundalk and Blackrock College in Dublin.

Rory O'Hanlon subsequently studied medicine at University College Dublin and qualified as a doctor.

Rory O'Hanlon entered his first electoral contest when he was the Fianna Fail candidate in the 1973 Monaghan by-election caused by the election of Erskine Childers to the Presidency.

Rory O'Hanlon was one of a handful of new Fianna Fail deputies who were elected in that landslide victory for the party and, as a new TD, he remained on the backbenches.

Rory O'Hanlon had supported Colley and was thus overlooked for appointment to the new ministerial and junior ministerial positions.

When Fianna Fail returned to power after a short-lived Fine Gael-Labour Party government in 1982, Rory O'Hanlon was overlooked for ministerial promotion.

An extensive cabinet reshuffle towards the end of the year saw Rory O'Hanlon become Minister of State for Social Welfare Payments.

Rory O'Hanlon's tenure was short-lived as the government fell a few weeks later and Fianna Fail were out of power.

In early 1983, Charles Haughey announced a new front bench and Rory O'Hanlon was promoted to the position of spokesperson on Health and Social Welfare.

In spite of earning this reputation, Rory O'Hanlon introduced law to curb smoking in public places.

Rory O'Hanlon's handling of the Department of Health meant that he was one of the names tipped for promotion as a result of Ray MacSharry departure as Minister for Finance.

In 1991, Rory O'Hanlon became Minister for the Environment following Albert Reynolds' failed leadership challenge against Charles Haughey.

When Reynolds eventually came to power in 1992, Rory O'Hanlon was one of several high-profile members of the cabinet who lost their ministerial positions.

In 1995, Rory O'Hanlon became chairman of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party before being elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dail Eireann in 1997.

Rory O'Hanlon was an active chairman of the Dail; however, on occasion, he was criticised, most notably by Labour's Pat Rabbitte, for allegedly stifling debate and being overly protective of the government.

Rory O'Hanlon was the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Rory O'Hanlon retired from politics at the 2011 general election.

Rory O'Hanlon is the father of actor and comedian Ardal O'Hanlon.