Jerry Buttimer | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Buttimer in 2022 | |
| Minister of State | |
| 2025– | Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht |
| 2025– | Transport |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office November 2024 | |
| In office February 2011 – February 2016 | |
| Constituency | Cork South-Central |
| Cathaoirleach ofSeanad Éireann | |
| In office 16 December 2022 – 30 November 2024 | |
| Deputy | Mark Daly |
| Preceded by | Mark Daly |
| Succeeded by | Mark Daly |
| Leas-Chathaoirleach ofSeanad Éireann | |
| In office 7 July 2020 – 21 August 2020 | |
| Cathaoirleach | Mark Daly |
| Preceded by | Paul Coghlan |
| Succeeded by | Joe O'Reilly |
| Leader of the Seanad | |
| In office 8 June 2016 – 27 June 2020 | |
| Taoiseach | |
| Deputy | Catherine Noone |
| Preceded by | Maurice Cummins |
| Succeeded by | Regina Doherty |
| Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad | |
| In office 8 June 2016 – 27 June 2020 | |
| Leader |
|
| Preceded by | Maurice Cummins |
| Succeeded by | Regina Doherty |
| Senator | |
| In office 8 June 2016 – 30 November 2024 | |
| In office 13 September 2007 – 25 February 2011 | |
| Constituency | Labour Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1967-03-18)18 March 1967 (age 58) Cork, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse | |
| Alma mater | |
| Website | jerrybuttimer |
Jerry Buttimer (born 18 March 1967) is an IrishFine Gael politician who has served asMinister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht since January 2025. He has been aTeachta Dála (TD) for theCork South-Central constituency since the2024 general election, and previously from 2011 to 2016. He previously served as aSenator for theLabour Panel from 2016 to 2024, and previously from 2007 to 2011,Cathaoirleach ofSeanad Éireann from December 2022 to November 2024,Leas-Chathaoirleach ofSeanad Éireann from July 2020 to August 2020,Leader of the Seanad from 2016 to 2020 andLeader of Fine Gael in the Seanad from 2016 to 2020.[1]
After early education inCork, Buttimer studied for thepriesthood for five years atSt Patrick's College, Maynooth as a candidate for theDiocese of Cork and Ross before opting not to pursue the priesthood.[2][3] He was a classmate ofFintan Monahan,Bishop of Killaloe. He left for further study and worked as a teacher in a secondary school and more latterly was Director of Adult Education atBallincollig Community School.
He was first elected toCork City Council in 2004 and was an unsuccessful candidate at the2007 general election for theCork South-Central constituency, but was subsequently elected to the Seanad.[4] He was Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the23rd Seanad.
He was critical of the 2012 boundary commission report, which transferred the areas ofBishopstown andGlasheen from the Cork South–Central constituency toCork North-Central. Both areas were considered his political base in the constituency.[5] Despite predictions that he would move to Cork North-Central at the next election, he announced in August 2012 that he would contest the next election in Cork South-Central.[6]
He lost his seat at the2016 general election.[4] After his election as a member ofSeanad Éireann in April 2016, he was appointed by theTaoiseach asLeader of the Seanad andLeader of Fine Gael in the Seanad. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Cork South-Central at the2020 general election. He was re-elected to the Seanad in 2020. He was appointedLeas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann on 7 July 2020.
Following his involvement in theOireachtas Golf Society scandal ("golfgate"), Buttimer resigned as Leas-Cathaoirleach on 21 August 2020. Buttimer and 80 others attended a golf function and dinner the previous day. At the time it was suggested it was in breach of governmentCOVID-19 guidelines.[7] Buttimer's role in the matter was heavily criticised, as previously Buttimer has been highly critical of those he perceived as not keeping to government guidelines. In April 2020 he had accused broadcasterIvan Yates of "irresponsible behaviour", telling him that public health measures were "about saving lives... not socialising". In June, he had suggestedDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire was "happy to abandon public health advice".[8]
Buttimer also lost theparty whip as part of his sanction. The party unanimously voted to restore the whip to Buttimer in January 2021.[9][8]
He was elected asCathaoirleach on 16 December 2022.[10]
At the2024 general election, Buttimer was elected to the Dáil. On 29 January 2025, he was appointed asMinister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with special responsibility for community development, charities, Gaeltacht and the islands and asMinister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for rural transport.[11]
In April 2012, Buttimer came out as gay, the first Fine Gael TD to do so, saying: "I am a TD who just happens to be gay – it is just one little composition of the story that is me and I will continue to be the politician I was yesterday."[12] He married Conchobar Ó Laoghaire in December 2017.[13]
He was the first chair of Fine Gael LGBT.[12]
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Cathaoirleach ofSeanad Éireann 2022–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 2025–present | Incumbent |
| New office | Minister of State at the Department of Transport 2025–present | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
