John Boland (Fine Gael politician)

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.[2] He was educated at Synge Street CBS school and University College Dublin, where he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Boland first became involved in politics 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 chairman at age 26.[2] While a councillor, he was associated with several controversial planning decisions.[2] In 1974, he married Catherine Kennedy; they had one son and one daughter.[2]

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.[2] He was re-elected to the Seanad in 1973.[2]

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.[3] He retained his seat at each election until losing it at the 1989 general election. Boland was immediately appointed 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. As Minister for Education, he accomplished the abolition of corporal punishment in schools.[2] He later served in a range of portfolios in Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald's second government, including Minister for the Public Service and Minister for the Environment.[2]

After politics, he qualified as a barrister in 1991, and practised on the Dublin and eastern circuits.[2] After a long illness with cancer, he died on 14 August 2000.[2]