Background
FLANAGAN, Charles James was born on November 1, 1956 in Dublin, Ireland. Parents: Oliver J. Flanagan and Mai Flanagan (née McWey).
Chief Whip of Fine Gael Dâil Eireann
FLANAGAN, Charles James was born on November 1, 1956 in Dublin, Ireland. Parents: Oliver J. Flanagan and Mai Flanagan (née McWey).
University College. Dublin, Bachelor of Arts, history and politics, 1974-1977. Incorporated Law Society of Ireland Law School, Solicitors’ Finals, 1977-1981. Spoken languages: Irish, English.
He is a Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) for the Laois–Offaly constituency. On 11 July 2014, he was appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Flanagan was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1987 general election, succeeding his father Oliver J. Flanagan.
He retained his seat at each election until losing it at the 2002 general election, but regained it at the 2007 general election.
He was party spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007 to 2010, and was the party spokesperson on Children from 2010 to 2011. Following the resignation on 7 May 2014 of Alan Shatter as Minister for Justice and Minister for Defence, Flanagan was appointed on 8 May as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to succeed Frances Fitzgerald who assumed the Justice portfolio.
On 11 July 2014, Flanagan was appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, succeeding the former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore.
Roman Catholic
He was chairperson of the Fine Gael parliamentary party from June 2011 to May 2014.
He was a member of Laois County Council from 1985 until he stepped down in 2004.
Spouse Mary McCormack, 1984. Children: Olwyn.