John Minihan (politician): Difference between revisions

'''John Minihan''' (born November [[1957]]) is an [[Ireland|Irish]] politician and member of the 22nd [[Seanad Éireann]] for the [[Progressive Democrats]]. He was nominated as a senator by the [[Taoiseach]]. In [[2002]] he failed to be elected to [[Dáil Éireann]] for [[Cork North Central]].

Forty-eight years of age, Senator John Minihan had a distinguished career in the Irish Defence Forces before entering politics. He entered Military College in November 1975 and on commissioning he was stationed in the Eastern Command where he held a number of positions. It was during this time that he served three tours of duty with [[United Nations]] peace keeping[[peacekeeping]] forces in [[Lebanon]]. Following his final tour of duty in Lebanon he returned to his native Cork where he served as [[Adjutant]] in [[Collins Barracks (Cork)|Collins Barracks]]. He retired from military service in 1996 with the rank of Captain to run the family [[pharmacy]] business.

Always interested in politics, in 1999 Senator Minihan entered local politics in 1999 when he successfully contested for awas seatelected onto the[[Cork City Council]] on behalf of the Progressive Democrats. He remained involved in local politics until July 2003 during which time on he was elected Chairman of the Progressive Democrats; first in November 1999, then again in November 2000 and then for a final time in February 2002.

ThatAfter yearthe also[[Irish sawgeneral Senatorelection, Minihan's entry into national politics when following the2002|2002 Generalgeneral Electionelection]] he was part of the three-man Progressive Democrats team that negotiated the present Programme for Government.

Subsequently, on the recommendation of Progressive Democrats Party Leader, [[Mary Harney]] TD, Anthe [[Taoiseach]] nominated him to [[Seanad Éireann]] where on the 12th September he made his maiden speech speaking on the [[Treaty of Nice]].

On the 17thIn January 2006 he was selected to run for the party in [[Cork South Central]] at the next General Election.

A keen sportsman, Senator Minihan is married, to Patricia, and has two sons.