Brendan Howlin is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wexford constituency since 1987. He previously served as Leader of the Labour Party from 2016 to 2020, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform from 2011 to 2016, Leas-Cheann Comhairle from 2007 to 2011, Deputy leader of the Labour Party from 1997 to 2002, Minister for the Environment from 1994 to 1997 and Minister for Health from 1993 to 1994. He was a Senator from 1983 to 1987, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.
Howlin in 2020
Howlin in 1996
Howlin (front left) in 2013.
The Labour Party is a centre-left and social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. Founded on 28 May 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin, and William O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trades Union Congress, it describes itself as a "democratic socialist party" in its constitution.
James Connolly
William O'Brien
In 1944 James Everett led a faction out of Labour and into a short-lived anti-communist splinter party until they reunited in 1950
The ascendancy of Mary Robinson to the Presidency of Ireland was heralded as a great victory for the Labour party