Batt O'Keefe

Bartholomew O'Keeffe, known to the public and friends as "Batt," was born in 1945 on 2 April.

He is a Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork North West, a three seat constituency, and is currently the Republic's Minister for Education and Science.

Born in Mallow in the county of Cork, being educated in St. Brendan's Killarney, Co. Kerry, and then UCC, (University College Cork,) where he received a Bachelor of Arts. He was first a lecturer in the Cork Institute of Technology, and then decided to become involved in politics, though is a noted sportsman - holding three Munster G.A.A medals with Cork.

He is married to Mary Murphy with four children - a son and three daughters.

He was first elected to Cork County Council in 1985, at the age of 40, being then elected in 1987 to the 25th Dáil Éireann as a T. D or Teachta Dála. He subsequently lost his seat in 1989 to Mícheal Martin following the dissolution of the Dáil. He was then elected to the Senate or Séanad in the same year taking his seat as Seanadóir. He was then re-elected to the Dáil in 1992, and has kept his seat ever since.

Upon taking over the reigns of power from his successor and mentor, Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen (Taoiseach of Ireland 2008 - ?) reshuffled the positions of his ministers. Batt O' Keefe was then promoted to one of the top positions in the Cabinet as Minister for Education and Science.

Education:

• St. Brendan's College, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

• University College Cork.

Occupation:

• Full time Public Representative

• Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government.

• Formerly Lecturer - Cork Institute of Technology.

• Communications and General Studies.

Qualifications:

• B.A. (Evening) H. Dip. Education

Public Bodies:

• Member of Cork County Council - 1985 - 2003.

• Member of Higher Education Committee. 1985 - 1997.

• Chairman of Southern Health Board - 2001 - 2003.

• Member of Association of Health Boards - 1991 - 1997

Oireachtas:

• Teachta Dála - 1987 - 1989

• Seanadóir - 1989 - 1992

• Teachta Dála - 1992 - To Date.

• Minister of State - Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - 2004 - 2008

• Minister of Education & Science

Spokesmanships:

• Spokesperson on Finance - Seanad Éireann 1989 - 1992

• Spokesperson on Transport & Communications - Dáil Éireann 1995 - 1997

Committees:

• Chairman, Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children 1997 - 2004.

• Member of Enterprise and Small Business Committee 1997 - 2002

• Member of Public Accounts Committee - 1992 - 1997, 1999 - 2004.

• Member of Finance and General Affairs 1992 - 1995

• Chairman of Sustainable Development Committee 1995 - 1997

• Chairman of the Oireachtas Working Group of Committee Chairmen 2002 - 2004.

Achievements:

• Holder of 3 Munster G.A.A. Medals with Cork at Under 21, Junior and Senior.

• Cork Intermediate Handball Champion.

Interests:

• Swimming, Walking, Sports and Reading