Fergus O'Dowd, Date of Birth, Place of Birth
TweetFergus O'Dowd
Irish politician
Date of Birth: 01-Sep-1948
Place of Birth: Thurles, Munster, Ireland
Profession: politician
Nationality: Ireland
Zodiac Sign: Virgo 
Fergusodowd
About Fergus O'Dowd
- Fergus O'Dowd (born 1 September 1948) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Louth constituency since the 2002 general election.
- He was appointed Chair of the Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport in July 2017.
- He previously served as Minister of State for the NewEra Project from 2011 to 2014.O'Dowd was born in Thurles, County Tipperary.
- He was educated by the Christian Brothers in Drogheda, County Louth.
- He lives in the town.
- He served three terms as Chairman of Drogheda Town Council: 1977–78, 1981–82 and 1994–95.
- He served on Louth County Council between 1979 and 2003. O'Dowd is married to Agnes O'Dowd and they have three sons.
- He is a brother of Niall O'Dowd, publisher of the Irish Voice newspaper in New York City.
- Another brother, Michael O'Dowd, stood against him for Renua at the 2016 general election.
- Yet another brother lives in France.A teacher before entering politics, O'Dowd was elected to Seanad Éireann on the Administrative Panel in 1997.
- He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2002 general election, on his fourth attempt.
- He was immediately appointed Fine Gael spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
- He was party spokesperson on Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2004 to 2007, and on Transport and Marine from 2007 to 2010.
- In June 2010, he supported Richard Bruton's leadership challenge to Enda Kenny.
- Following Kenny's victory in a motion of confidence, O'Dowd was appointed as party spokesperson on Education and Skills.On 10 March 2011, he was appointed as Minister of State for the NewEra Project.
- He was dropped as a Minister of State in a reshuffle in July 2014.
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