Michael Ahern (Irish politician)

Michael Ahern (b.January 20, 1949), is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork East and Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

Michael Ahern was born in Dungourney, County Cork. He was educated at Dungourney N.S, Rockwell College, Co. Tipperary, and University College Dublin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Politics and Psychology. He also attended Kimmage Manor, Dublin where he studied Theology. For a brief period in the early 1970s Ahern worked as a Secondary School teacher. In 1973 he became an Accountancy Student at Coopers/Lybrand, Cork. In 1977 he became Financial Controller with a building construction firm in Cork. Between 1981 and 2000 Ahern served as Principal of Registered Audit & Accountancy Practice.

Ahern was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1982 and has held his seat ever since. In 1984 he received his first major promotion when he became Fianna Fáil Deputy spokesperson on Transport in Charles Haughey's front bench. During his career in the Dáil, Ahern has served on a number of committees, including the Public Accounts Committee, the Joint Committee of Health & Children and the Joint Committee on Finance & Public Service. Between 1992 and 1993 he served as Minister for Science & Technology. Between 1994 and 1997 he served as Opposition Spokesperson on the Office of Public Works and Taxation. In 2002 Fianna Fáil were re-elected and Ahern received his current position at the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, effectively as Minister for Trade & Commerce.

Michael Ahern is the son of the late Liam Ahern, a Senator between 1957 and 1973, and a TD from 1973 until 1974. Ahern's Grand-Uncle, John Dinneen, was also a member of the Dáil between 1922 and 1927.