NEWSMAKERS
Five things you should know about Brian Lenihan
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is in the headlines this week with Fianna Fail insiders saying he won’t have a clear run to party leadership if Biffo shoots off, but he remains joint favourite to take the helm nonetheless. Here are five things you should know about the Dublin West TD.
By Robert Carry
1. Politics is very much a family affair for the Lenihans.
Brian Lenihan Snr was sat in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, filling a number of ministerial roles. He was appointed Tánaiste in 1987 and stood for the presidency in 1990. Brian Jnr’s grandfather, Patrick Lenihan, served in the Dáil as did his aunt Mary O’Rourke, Brian Snr’s sister. Then, of course, there is Minister of State Conor Lenihan, Brian Jr’s brother.
2. Brian is a brain box
Brian Lenihan Jr’s academic record is arguably the most accomplished of any member of the Dáil. He won a string of scholarships, studied at Belvedere where he was school captain, and went through Trinity, Cambridge and Kings Inns with firsts all the way. He worked as a barrister and a law lecturer in Trinity before moving into politics.
3. Brian was not expected to win when he first stood for office
Lenihan first ran for office in 1996 when his father died. He stood in the Dublin West by-election after being requested to do so by Fianna Fáil. The party’s then director of elections, Noel Dempsey, was believed to have given Lenihan little chance of holding the seat. It ultimately proved marginal – Lenihan secured just 252 more first-preference votes than the Socialist Party’s Joe Higgins and was elected on the 11th count. He quickly rose through the ranks, making it into the cabinet as Minister for Justice in 2007. One year later he was given the post of Minister for Finance.
4. Brian is undergoing treatment for cancer
In December 2009, TV3 made a major gaffe in how it broke the story of Brian having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The newsreader referred to him the past tense, ran an obituary-style piece about him before running through potential replacements for him. However, Brian has since received treatment while continuing to work in what was arguably the most difficult ministerial portfolio in government.
5. Brian clashed with David McWilliams
Back in 2009, when economist David McWilliams was promoting a book, he made claims that a "dishevelled looking" Lenihan arrived at his house late one night seeking assistance on how to solve Ireland's economic problems. Lenihan admitted that the pair had met, but said McWilliams had been pestering him for a job as a government advisor.
Paddy Power is currently offering odds of 7/4 for Brian Lenihan to win a potential party race. Micheal Martin is also at 7/4. Dermot Ahern is on 9/4 while Mary Hanafin is at 14/1
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