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Minister for Defence

Alan Shatter TD




Alan Shatter TD
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence


        Alan Shatter was re-elected to Dail Eireann in February 2011 having
        represented Dublin South Constituency in the Dail since 2007 and previously
        from 1981 until 2002. He was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and
        Defence by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 9th March 2011.

        He was educated at High School, Rathgar, and Trinity College Dublin where
        he obtained a law degree. He subsequently attended Europa Institute of the
        University of Amsterdam where he studied European Law, Politics and
        Economics. As a student, he was Director of the Crumlin Free Legal Advice
        Centre (FLAC) and later became Chairman of FLAC. He subsequently became
        Chairman of CARE (Campaign for Deprived Children).


        Alan Shatter practised as a family lawyer in Dublin and is the author of
        “Family Law in the Republic of Ireland” now in it’s 4 edition and the
        best-selling novel “Laura” (1989).


        As a TD representing Dublin South Constituency he has held various
        positions on the Fine Gael Front Bench including Spokesperson on Justice
        and Law Reform, Health, Labour, Defence and Children. He has served on the
        Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and on the Joint Oireachtas
        Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children from 2007 until that
        Committee completed it’s work in February 2010.


        Before his appointment in March 2011 as Minister for Justice, Equality and
        Defence, Alan Shatter, as a Fine Gael TD and an advocate of radical legal,
        social and environmental reform, published a wide range of Bills including;

        29th Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2009 (published on 19th Nov 09)
        Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2009
        Victims Rights Bill 2002
        Victims Rights Bill 2008
        Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Bill 1999
        Genetic Fingerprinting Bill 1988
        Community Service Orders Bill 1981
        Registration of Births Bill 2000
        Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998
        Adoption Act 1991
        Judicial Separation & Family Law Act, 1989
        Adoption Bill 1987
        Environment Protection Agency Bill 1989
        Protection of Refugees Bill 1993
        Landlord & Tenant (Amendment) Act 1993
        Statute of Limitation (Amendment) Bill 1999
        Courts Bill 2000
        Tribunals of Inquiry (Amendment) Bill 2001
        Prohibition of Ticket Touts Bill 1999



Contact Us

Department of Defence
Station Road
Newbridge
Co. Kildare

Tel 00 353 45 492000
Fax 00 353 45 492017
* loCall 1890 251890
** Or call 0761 001 607

info@defence.ie

eolas@defence.ie

* Note that the rates charged for the use of 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers
** 0761 numbers are charged as a national number from landlines and mobiles and are often included in bundle deals offered by phone operators