Liz O'Donnell | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State | |
| 1997–2002 | Foreign Affairs |
| 2002 | Government |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office November 1992 – May 2007 | |
| Constituency | Dublin South |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elizabeth O'Donnell (1956-07-01)1 July 1956 (age 68) Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Progressive Democrats (1985–2009) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin |
| Website | www |
Liz O'Donnell (born 1 July 1956) is an Irish formerProgressive Democrats politician, who representedDublin South as aTeachta Dála (TD) from 1992 to 2007.[1]
O'Donnell was born inDublin in 1956, where her father worked forGuinness. She moved with her family toLimerick when she was 11. She was educated at the Salesian Convent,Limerick, andTrinity College Dublin, where she was an honours graduate of the Law School in 1981. Prior to embarking on a political career, O'Donnell was a Vice Chair of the Women's Political Association and a delegate to the National Women's Council. O'Donnell is divorced and has 2 children.[2]
In 1991, she was elected toDublin City Council for theProgressive Democrats for theRathmineslocal electoral area. She served on the council until 1994.
At the1992 general election, she was elected toDáil Éireann for the Progressive Democrats, representing Dublin South.[3] She was opposition spokesperson on Health and Social Welfare from 1992 to 1993. She was Party whip and Justice spokesperson from 1993 to 1997. Following her return to the28th Dáil at the1997 general election, she negotiated the Programme for the Coalition Government betweenFianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, along with her party colleagueMinister of StateBobby Molloy.
O'Donnell was appointedMinister of State at theDepartment of Foreign Affairs with responsibility forOverseas Development Assistance and Human Rights. She was among the representatives of the Irish Government at the multi-party talks atStormont, which culminated in theGood Friday Agreement in 1998. She was also a member of the Cabinet sub-committee on Asylum Immigration and related matters. Following the resignation of Bobby Molloy she was appointed Minister of State to the Government in April 2002.
She was re-elected to the29th Dáil at the2002 general election as TD for Dublin South. In December 2002, she was awarded the Doolin Memorial Medal for her contribution to Overseas Development and Human Rights. She was the Deputy Leader of the Progressive Democrats from 2006 to 2007. She lost her seat at the2007 general election.
Since leaving public office, she has worked in the media and in public affairs consultancy.
O'Donnell was chairperson of theRoad Safety Authority from 2015 to 2024 and has been chair of the Irish Emergency Alliance since 2023.[4] She also sits on the board ofChernobyl Children International.[5]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Deputy leader of theProgressive Democrats 2006–2007 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of State for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights 1997–2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of State to the Government April–June 2002 | Office abolished |