First elected to Offaly county council in 1991 at age 23, Barry Cowen successfully contested the general election for Laois/Offaly in 2011 on the retirement of his brother Brian, the then Taoiseach.

Previously, their father Bernard had served as the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture in the short-lived Fianna Fáil government of 1982, with responsibility for disadvantaged areas.

This means the Cowen family has served in public office at national level for over 50 years unbroken

Bernard was a TD from 1969 until his death in 1984, apart from in 1973-77 when he was elected to the Seanad on the agricultural panel.

This means the Cowen family has served in public office at national level for over 50 years unbroken.

Barry Cowen has been the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on social protection, housing, planning and local government, and most recently public expenditure and reform.

He was a key member of the party’s negotiating team in the Programme for Government discussions in both 2016 and in recent months.

Previously an auctioneer and valuer in his native Clara, Barry is married to Mary and they have four children.