Brian Stanley (politician)
Brian Stanley | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Stanley in 2019 | |
| Chair of the Public Accounts Committee | |
| Assumed office 15 July 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Seán Fleming |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office February 2020 | |
| In office February 2011 – February 2016 | |
| Constituency | Laois–Offaly |
| In office February 2016 – February 2020 | |
| Constituency | Laois |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 1958 (age 66)[1] Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Sinn Féin (until 2024) |
| Spouse | Caroline Dwane Stanley |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Dublin Institute of Technology |
Brian Stanley (born January 1958) is an Irish independent, former Sinn Féin, politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Laois–Offaly constituency since the 2020 general election, and previously from 2011 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2020 for the Laois constituency. He was appointed Chair of the Public Accounts Committee in July 2020.[2][3]
He unsuccessfully contested the 2002 and 2007 general elections in Laois-Offaly.[4]
Stanley was elected at the 1999 local elections as a member of Portlaoise Town Council, and was re-elected in 2004, and in 2009.[4] He was elected as a member of Laois County Council for the Portlaoise local electoral area at the 2004 local elections, and was re-elected in 2009.[4] His wife, Caroline Dwane Stanley, is a member of Laois County Council.[5]
In July 2020, Stanley was appointed as the chair of the Public Accounts Committee.[3] He is the first Sinn Féin TD to hold the office.[citation needed]
Controversies
[edit]In December 2020, Stanley became embroiled in controversies over a number of tweets, originating with a tweet that referenced the Narrow Water Ambush by the IRA in 1979.[6][7] In response, Stanley offered apologies before deleting his Twitter account and asked for speaking time in Dáil Eireann to address the situation.[8] Another tweet made by Stanley about Leo Varadkar was criticised by Micheál Martin, saying the tweet had an "inference [sic] of homophobia."[9]
Resignation and investigation
[edit]On 12 October 2024, Stanley announced his resignation from Sinn Féin, saying he had been subject to an internal "kangaroo court" following a complaint within the party.[10] Sinn Féin later announced that they had referred the complaint to the Gardaí.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Collins, Stephen (2011). Nealon's Guide to the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 135. ISBN 9780717150595.
- ^ "Brian Stanley". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Brian Stanley TD appointed Chair of the Public Accounts Committee - Mary Lou McDonald TD". www.sinnfein.ie. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "Brian Stanley". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ "Portlaoise Municipal District – Laois County Council". Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Manley, John (30 November 2020). "Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley apologises over 'insensitive' tweet". Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ Bray, Jennifer. "Sinn Féin TD's social media accounts deleted in aftermath of controversy". Irish Times. Irish Times. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Stanley seeks Dáil time to make personal statement". RTÉ. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ McGee, Harry; Clarke, Vivienne. "Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley asks to make statement to Dáil over tweets". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
- ^ Miller, Steven (12 October 2024). "Breaking: Brian Stanley announces resignation from Sinn Féin". Laois Today. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ "Matter relating to Stanley resignation referred to gardaí - McDonald". RTÉ News. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
External links
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