Phil Hogan - Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government
Minister Phil Hogan is a political leader who has worked for over 21 years serving the people of Carlow and Kilkenny. A lifetime in politics and a former candidate for the leadership of Fine Gael, Minister Hogan’s experience is central to delivering the change the people of Carlow and Kilkenny voted for in the last election. Minister Hogan, with Fine Gael, is at the centre of setting the path to fixing the wasted mistakes of the past, creating a fairer Ireland for future generations.
Phil Hogan was appointed Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government in March 2011 and has already set about delivering on Fine Gael’s election pledges and the Programme for Government’s commitments to reshape the way in which we do politics. Minister Hogan is currently overseeing the introduction of the most significant political reform package announced in decades. The reform package includes significant restrictions on corporate donations and a requirement that 30% of all general election candidates are women for parties wishing to retain full levels of state funding.
Minister Hogan has also announced the establishment of a Constituency Commission with revised terms of reference which will result in a reduction in the number of TDs. Minister Hogan is introducing a six month time limit on the holding of bye elections to fill Dáil vacancies which will ensure that Irish citizens are not left without representation for prolonged periods as has occurred in the recent past.
As Fine Gael's Spokesman on Environment, Heritage & Local Government from 2007 to 2011, Minister Hogan put Local Government Reform at the head of his agenda and will now ensure that the government follows through on its commitments in this regard. Under Fine Gael’s Local Government plan, Kilkenny’s Local Authorities and local authorities throughout the country will become the main driving force in promoting job creation and business development.
Looking after the interests of the people of Kilkenny and Carlow has always been part of Phil’s priorities. He, along with his team of workers, is always available to contact from his office at the New Street in Kilkenny to answer any constituents’ queries. Phil also travels throughout Carlow and Kilkenny holding clinics, attending meetings and serving the entire population.
Throughout his career, Minister Hogan has campaigned for consumer rights including the ‘Give it Back’ Tax campaign where thousands of people benefited from tax-back claims and eventually culminated in the government establishing the National Consumer Agency. In government, Minister Hogan continues to champion consumer rights and has announced that he will strengthen the building control systems which will protect consumers.
Phil Hogan served as Minister for State in Department of Finance in the last Fine Gael government at a time where job growth was at an all-time high. During his time as Minister, the Irish economy grew at an annual average rate of 8.7%, peaking at 11.1% in 1997. In that period the unemployment rate decreased by over 4% and 160,000 new jobs were created across all the different economic sectors of society. Jobs in construction grew at a steady pace, while other jobs were created in Manufacturing, Retail and Transport.
Fine Gael’s vision has always been to have steady economic growth evenly distributed through both the public and private sector. Minister Hogan and Fine Gael will utilise the experience gained during their previous periods in government to turn Ireland around set the country on the road to economic recovery.
