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John James Boland (30 November 1944 – 14 August 2000) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Health from January 1987 to March 1987, Minister for the Environment from 1986 to 1987, Minister for the Public Service from 1982 to 1986 and Minister for Education from 1981 to 1982. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 1989. He also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 1969 to 1977.

Biography

Boland was born in Dublin in 1944 in Terenure, Dublin, the eldest of two sons and one daughter of Charles Boland and his wife Kathleen Boland (née Whitty), both of whom were civil servants. He was educated at Synge Street CBS school and University College Dublin (UCD), where he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree. While in UCD, he served as editor of the student publication, Awake.

He first held political office in 1967, when he was elected to Dublin County Council at age 23. He served on that authority until 1981. In 1971, he became the council's youngest-ever chairperson at age 26. While a councillor, he was associated with several controversial planning decisions. In 1974, he married Catherine Kennedy; they had one son and one daughter.

Boland first ran for the Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election, but was unsuccessful. He did secure election to Seanad Éireann on the Labour Panel, becoming the youngest-ever Senator at the time. He was re-elected to the Seanad in 1973.

Boland was elected to Dáil on his third attempt at the 1977 general election as a Fine Gael TD for the Dublin County North constituency. He retained his seat at each subsequent election until losing it in the 1989 election

On becoming Fine Gael leader, Garret FitzGerald appointed Boland to the Opposition front bench as spokesperson on Health; he later served as spokesperson on the Environment.

In 1981, Fine Gael formed a government with the Labour Party, with Boland becoming Minister for Education. In this capacity, he achieved the landmark abolition of corporal punishment in schools.

Boland later served in a range of portfolios in Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald's second government. As Minister for the Public Service, Boland introduced several significant reforms including merit-based promotion (instead of promotions being solely seniority-based as before) and open competitions for the most senior civil service jobs.

Boland changed the law so that civil servants could no longer refuse to provide their names, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

As Minister for the Public Service, he appointed Ireland's first Ombudsman, Michael Mills.

Boland subsequently served as Minister for the Environment. He led the procurement, on behalf of the State, of Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Demesne, Newbridge House and Farm, Skerries Mills and Red Island, Skerries. He also established the first National Parks Strategy.

After politics, Boland qualified as a barrister and practised on the Dublin and eastern circuits. He also wrote a political column for the Sunday Business Post.

After a long illness with cancer, Boland died on 14 August 2000. Many people paid tribute upon his death, including former Taoisigh FitzGerald and John Bruton. Fitzgerald stated that Boland had done more than any Minister in the history of the State to reform the public service, while Bruton remarked that Boland was "one of the most courageous, imaginative and innovative politicians" he had known.

References

1. "John Boland". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
2. ^ White, Lawrence William. "Boland, John James". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
3. "John Boland". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
4. "John Boland - a politician who really made a difference". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
5. Oireachtas, Houses of the (25 October 1983). "Appointment of Ombudsman: Motion. – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Tuesday, 25 Oct 1983 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
6. "Fianna Fail Senators tribute to John Boland". Independent.ie. 31 August 2000. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
7. "Tributes paid to former Fine Gael Minister John Boland". RTÉ.ie. 15 August 2000.

• 1944 births
• 2000 deaths
• Fine Gael TDs
• Members of the 12th Seanad
• Members of the 13th Seanad
• Members of the 21st Dáil
• Members of the 22nd Dáil
• Members of the 23rd Dáil
• Members of the 24th Dáil
• Members of the 25th Dáil
• Ministers for health of Ireland
• Politicians from County Dublin
• Ministers for education of Ireland
• Alumni of University College Dublin
• Ministers for the environment of Ireland
• Fine Gael senators
• People educated at Synge Street CBS
• Labour Panel senators