Mr O’Leary’s comments about teachers at the weekend have sparked a nationwide backlash and notable among the ex-teachers is Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who joined 19 other former teachers in the 33rd Dáil. Also among them is former Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin, who has been singled out for criticism by the Ryanair boss.
The Higher Education Minister Patrick O’Donovan is a former primary school teacher and Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South-West John Lahart is qualified as a teacher and a psychotherapist.
Tax and Michael O’Leary comments about teachers fuel debate on Irish election campaigns
The legal profession was the next best represented with six qualified barristers and another six solicitors. This includes Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, who worked as a barrister before being elected.
Former minister Willie O’Dea worked as both a barrister and an accountant before winning his seat in Limerick City and six others came from a background in accounting, among them the former finance minister turned European Commissioner, Michael McGrath and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke – the Fine Gael TD for Westmeath at the centre of the Michael O’Leary controversy.
Also among the barristers is Fianna Fáil’s Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan, who came under fire over the weekend after he said “it can’t be the case that everyone just decides at 19 years of age that ‘I’m going to be a politician’”.
This was interpreted within Fine Gael as a dig at Taoiseach Simon Harris, who dropped out of college to pursue a career in politics, working as an assistant to Frances Fitzgerald before running for election himself.
Mr Harris is in good company as one of five ex-parliamentary assistants who moved on to getting elected themselves. Helen McEntee was assistant to her father Shane, while Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Claire Kerrane, as well as Seán Sherlock of Labour, also served in similar roles.
Three former trade unionists – Louise O’Reilly, Patricia Ryan and now MEP Kathleen Funchion – were elected to the Dáil for Sinn Féin in 2020. This is also the background of People Before Profit’s Bríd Smith and former Labour leader Brendan Howlin.
The Healy-Raes were involved with the family business in plant hire and contracting before taking the reins of the family political dynasty, while nine others came from a life as a business owner. This includes former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who set up cycling holiday company Cycling Safaris in 1989.
Mary Lou McDonald was a researcher and a consultant before politics became a full-time gig, while Roderic O’Gorman was an academic who lectured at Griffith College and DCU.
Qualified GP Leo Varadkar was joined by Jack Chambers among the holders of a medical degree. After his stint as a soldier, Independent Cathal Berry also went on to train as a doctor.
