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David Stanton (politician)

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David Stanton
Stanton in 2016
Minister of State
2016–2020Justice and Equality
Teachta Dála
In office
June 1997 – November 2024
ConstituencyCork East
Personal details
Born (1957-02-15) 15 February 1957 (age 67)
Midleton, County Cork, Ireland
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse
Mary Lehane
​
(m. 1990)​
Children4
EducationSt. Colman's Vocational School, Midleton
Alma materUniversity College Cork
Websitestanton.ie
Military service
Allegiance Ireland
Branch/service Army Reserve
Years of service1980–1996
RankOfficer

David Stanton (born 15 February 1957) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork East constituency from 1997 to 2024. He served as a Minister of State from 2016 to 2020.[1]

Early life

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Stanton was born in County Cork. He was educated at St. Colman's Vocational School, Midleton; Sharman Crawford Technical Institute, Cork and University College Cork where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Mathematics. Before entering politics, he was a woodwork and technical drawing teacher and a career guidance counsellor in St Colman's Community College in Midleton. Stanton served in the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) as an officer in the Army Reserve.[2] He is married to Mary Lehane and they have four sons.

Political career

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Stanton was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election and has been re-elected at every general election since.[3] He was party spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs, and Equality from 2004 to 2007. Prior to this he acted as deputy spokesperson on Education and Science, and spokesperson on Labour Affairs, Consumer Rights and Trade from 1997 to 2002. From 2007 to 2010, he was party Assistant Chief Whip (Dáil Reform) with special responsibility for Disability Issues. In July 2010, he was appointed spokesperson on Defence.[4]

On 19 May 2016, Stanton was appointed by the Fine Gael–Independent government on the nomination of Taoiseach Enda Kenny as Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration.[5][6] On 20 June 2017, he was appointed by the government formed by Leo Varadkar to the same position.[7][8][9]

In this role, Stanton formally announced the State's intention, following Government approval, to establish an Irish gambling regulatory under the auspices of the Department of Justice. Speaking as then Minister of State with special responsibility for gambling regulation, Stanton said, "A modern and effectively regulated gambling environment will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that gambling will be a safe, fair and entertaining activity for the majority of those who choose to take part in it. We must ensure that it will provide enhanced consumer protection for players while limiting to the greatest extent possible the harmful effects on young people and those who may be susceptible to addiction."[10]

During his time in the Department of Justice, Stanton played a key role in the creation of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The Act provided many law changes including for new criminal offences in relation to coercive control and forced marriage. Former Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan thanked Stanton for his work on this matter stating, "Minister Stanton successfully brought the Bill through Committee and Report Stages in the Upper House, during which many important amendments were made."[11]

At the 2020 general election, Stanton was re-elected in the Cork East constituency.[12]

On 23 May 2023, he announced that he would not contest the next general election.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "David Stanton". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  2. ^ O'Halloran, Marie (28 February 2016). "Profile: David Stanton (FG)". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  3. ^ "David Stanton". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  4. ^ "Bruton & Noonan return to Fine Gael frontbench". RTÉ News. 1 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Appointment of Ministers of State" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2016 (47): 804–806. 10 June 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  6. ^ Justice and Equality (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 422 of 2016). Signed on 27 July 2016. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 26 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Appointment of Ministers of State" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2017 (52): 882–883. 30 June 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (32nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  9. ^ Justice and Equality (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 351 of 2017). Signed on 26 July 2017. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 21 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Minister Stanton announces Government approval for establishment of gambling regulatory authority". www.gov.ie. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Minister Flanagan announces passage of Domestic Violence Bill 2017". merrionstreet.ie. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  12. ^ O'Riordan, Seán (10 February 2020). "Cork East results: Final three seats decided on count eight". The Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  13. ^ Leahy, Pat (23 May 2023). "Fine Gael TD David Stanton announces he will not seek re-election". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
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