Chris Hazzard | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Hazzard in 2023 | |
| Member of Parliament forSouth Down | |
| Assumed office 8 June 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Margaret Ritchie |
| Majority | 9,280 (20.5%) |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly forSouth Down | |
| In office 13 April 2012 – 9 June 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Willie Clarke |
| Succeeded by | Emma Rogan |
| Minister for Infrastructure | |
| In office 25 May 2016 – 26 January 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Michelle McIlveen |
| Succeeded by | Nichola Mallon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher John Hazzard (1984-08-20)20 August 1984 (age 41) Drumaness, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
Christopher John Hazzard (born 20 August 1984)[1] is an IrishSinn Féin politician who has served asMember of Parliament (MP) forSouth Down since 2017. He previously served asMinister for Infrastructure from 2016 to 2017 and as aMember of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) forSouth Down from 2012 to 2017.
Christopher John Hazzard[2] was born inDrumaness, County Down, in 1984.[3][4] The eldest of four siblings, he attendedOur Lady and St Patrick's College, Knock, before going toQueen's University Belfast.[3]
Hazzard previously worked as a press officer forSinn Féin.
He wasselected by his party as amember (MLA) of theNorthern Ireland Assembly to represent theSouth Down constituency in April 2012. He replaced his party colleagueWillie Clarke, who had retired to concentrate on his local council work.[5] Hazzard was theMinister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland from May 2016 until the Executive's collapse in January 2017. He was also a member of the Education Committee from 2012 to 2016 and the Public Accounts Committee from 2013 to 2014.[3]
At the snap general election held on 8 June 2017, he was elected as the MP forSouth Down, defeating the incumbentSDLP MP,Margaret Ritchie. It is the first time that his party have represented the seat.[3][6]
Hazzard is aGaelic Athletic Association member and PhD candidate atQueen's University Belfast.[7] He was, at the time of his selection, the youngest MLA.
He is married to Lisa, and the couple have a daughter, Eva, who was born in August 2015.[3][8]
| Northern Ireland Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the Legislative Assembly forSouth Down 2012–2017 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded byas Minister for Regional Development | Minister for Infrastructure of Northern Ireland 2016–2017 | Vacant Government suspended Title next held by Nichola Mallon |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forSouth Down 2017–present | Incumbent |
