Teachta Dála
What was the position of Mary Mitchell O'Connor in Mar 2016?
Mary Mitchell OConnor Mary Mitchell OConnor ( born 10 June 1959 ) is a former Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State for Higher Education from 2017 to 2020 and Minister for Jobs , Enterprise and Innovation from 2016 to 2017 . She served as a Teachta Dála ( TD ) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency from 2011 and 2020 . Early and personal life . Born Mary OConnor in Milltown , County Galway . She graduated from Carysfort College and NUI , Maynooth , and worked as a teacher . She was appointed principal of Scoil Cholmcille , Skryne , County Meath . In 1999 , she became school principal at The Harold School , Glasthule , a position she held until her election to the Dáil . She lives in Cabinteely , Dublin . She is divorced and has two sons from her marriage . Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council : 2004–2011 . In 2004 , as a Progressive Democrats candidate , she was elected to Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council . As a Councillor , she campaigned against the reintroduction of university fees , against the budget-related increase in pupil-teacher ratios . She also took part in the Sandycove Tidy Towns campaign . In 2006 , when the Maritime Museum closed , she called on the council to financially support it . In December 2007 , she resigned from the Progressive Democrats and joined Fine Gael . Welcoming her to the party , Enda Kenny said that it was the first move by a Progressive Democrats public representative to join an alternative party since the general election . Mitchell OConnor said that she made a decision on how best to represent the people that elected me . In 2008–09 , she was Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Area Committee for Transport , Economic Development and Planning . In June 2009 , she was re-elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council . She was the Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Area Committee for Environment , Housing , Culture , Community Development and Amenities . She has led campaigns to protect public amenities in Dún Laoghaire , including public access to the sea front , public transport , and she campaigned to prevent the acquisition of Dún Laoghaire baths by private companies . In 2010 , she led the Save the Sandycove Green Campaign against adding more parking spaces to Sandycove Green . Dáil Éireann : 2011–2020 . In December 2010 , she was selected as a Fine Gael candidate for the Dún Laoghaire constituency . Mitchell OConnor was elected as a TD for the Dún Laoghaire constituency at the 2011 general election . The newly elected Fine Gael TD surprised staff at Leinster House on 2 March 2011 , by driving her campaign car across the pedestrian plinth in the Dáil car park and down the steps . The plinth has a ramp at one side to facilitate wheelchair access , but steps at the other end . The incident was witnessed by several journalists and was reported on by the RTÉ evening news . On 8 June 2015 , Mitchell OConnor was selected by Dún Laoghaire Fine Gael as their candidate to contest the next general election at a selection convention . She defeated councillors Barry Ward and Maria Bailey , daughter of John Bailey , although Bailey was later added to the ticket and was also elected . She came through and , after a delay due to talks on government formation , was appointed Minister for Jobs , Enterprise and Innovation in May 2016 . After Leo Varadkar was appointed Taoiseach in June 2017 , she was not re-appointed to cabinet , but was instead given a junior ministerial role as Minister of State for Higher Education . This is a super junior role which allows her attend cabinet meetings , but does not have a vote . In the 2020 general election , OConnor stood for re-election but lost her seat . Campaigns and policies . Mitchell OConnor is an advocate for womens rights . In August 2010 , she called for a reform of Dáil Éireann , so that women can work efficiently there . She campaigned for the eviction of men who are perpetrators of domestic violence . In July 2011 , Mitchell OConnor turned Leinster House pink in aid of breast cancer . Mitchell OConnor is pro-choice and supported repealing the Eighth Amendment . In November 2018 , Mitchell OConnor announced female only academic posts to increase the proportion of senior female academics in universities and institutes of technology in Ireland .