Máire Hoctor (born 20 January 1963) is an Irish former

Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil ( ; ; meaning "Soldiers of Destiny" or "Warriors of Fál"), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (), is a centre to centre-right political party in Ireland. Founded as a republican party in 1926 by Éamon de ...

politician. She was a

Teachta Dála A Teachta Dála ( ; ; plural ), abbreviated as TD (plural ''TDanna'' in Irish language, Irish, TDs in English), is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas, the parliament of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The official Engli ...

(TD) for the Tipperary North constituency from 2002 to 2011. She was educated at St. Mary's secondary school,

Nenagh Nenagh ( ; , or simply 'the Fair') is the county town of County Tipperary in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Nenagh used to be a market town, and the site of the East Munster Ormond Fair. Nenagh was the county town of the former county of Nort ...

and St Patrick's College,

Maynooth Maynooth (; ) is a university town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to Maynooth University (part of the National University of Ireland and also known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth) and St Patrick's College, Maynoo ...

. Before her election she worked as a secondary school teacher in St. Joseph's CBS, Nenagh. Hoctor was elected to

Dáil Éireann Dáil Éireann ( ; , ) is the lower house and principal chamber of the Oireachtas, which also includes the president of Ireland and a senate called Seanad Éireann.Article 15.1.2° of the Constitution of Ireland reads: "The Oireachtas shall co ...

as a Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary North at the 2002 general election. She was re-elected at the 2007 general election. She is a former member of North Tipperary County Council and of Nenagh Town Council. Hoctor was a member of various

Oireachtas The Oireachtas ( ; ), sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the Bicameralism, bicameral parliament of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of the president of Ireland and the two houses of the Oireachtas (): a house ...

Committees at different stages in the 2002–07 Fianna Fáil–

Progressive Democrats The Progressive Democrats (, literally "The Democratic Party"), commonly referred to as the PDs, were a conservative liberal political party in Ireland. The party's history spanned 24 years, from its formation in 1985 to its dissolution in 20 ...

government. In 2007, legislation was passed to increase the number of Ministers of State from 17 to 20, and in July 2007 Hoctor was nominated by

Bertie Ahern Bartholomew Patrick "Bertie" Ahern (born 12 September 1951) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, and as Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2008. A Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 2011, he served ...

to be appointed by the government as Minister of State at the Department of Social and Family Affairs, at the Department of Health and Children, and at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with special responsibility for Older People. She was re-appointed to the same positions in 2008, but in April 2009, she was not re-appointed, after

Brian Cowen Brian Bernard Cowen (born 10 January 1960) is an Irish former politician who served as Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2008 to 2011. Cowen served as a TD for the constituency of Laois–Offaly from 1984 to 2011 and served in several ...

requested the resignation of all Ministers of State to reduce the number from 20 to 15. She lost her seat at the 2011 general election.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoctor, Maire 1963 births Living people Alumni of St Patrick's College, Maynooth Fianna Fáil TDs Irish schoolteachers Members of North Tipperary County Council Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil 21st-century women Teachtaí Dála Ministers of State of the 30th Dáil Politicians from County Tipperary Women ministers of state of the Republic of Ireland People from Nenagh