Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D. – Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D.'s Curriculum Vitae

Ms. Mary Coughlan T.D., was appointed Tánaiste, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on 7^th May 2008. Previously she has served as Minister for Agriculture and Food, Minister for Social and Family Affairs and Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. She has been a member of Dail Eireann since 1987. She was opposition spokesperson on Educational Reform between 1995 and 1997. She served as a chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Irish Language between 1993 and 1995 and was a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Body between 1991 and 1992. Ms. Coughlan served as a member of County Donegal County Council between 1986 and 2001 and as a member of the North Western Health Board between 1987 and 2001.

She was also a member of County Donegal Vocational Education Committee between 1986 and 1999, where she was chairperson between 1991 and 1992. She is a former chairperson of the Board of Management, Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town and a former member of the Board of Management of the Tourism College, Killybegs. She has also served as a member of Comhchoiste na Gaeilge (Chairperson 1993 - 1994). Elected Honorary Secretary of the Fianna Fáil Party 1995, she is a previous vice-chairperson of Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation. She is President of Killybegs Coast and Cliff Rescue Service.

Ms. Coughlan was educated at the Ursuline Convent, Sligo and University College, Dublin (B.Soc.Sc.).

Born in County Donegal in May 1965, she is a daughter of the late Cathal Coughlan, Dail Deputy for Donegal South-West between 1983 and 1986. She is married to David Charlton. They have one son and one daughter.