John Boland

John James Boland (30 November 1944 – 14 August 2000) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Health from January 1987 to March 1987, Minister for the Environment from 1986 to 1987, Minister for the Public Service from 1982 to 1986 and Minister for Education from 1981 to 1982. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 1989. He also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 1969 to 1977. Biography Boland was born in Dublin in 1944 in Terenure, Dublin, the eldest of two sons and one daughter of Charles Boland and his wife Kathleen Boland (née Whitty), both of whom were civil servants. He was educated at Synge Street CBS school and University College Dublin, where he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree. While in UCD, he served as editor of student publication, Awake. Boland first held political office in 1967, when he was elected to Dublin County Council at age 23. He served on that authority until 1981. In 1971, he became the council's youngest ever chairman at age 26. While a councillor, he was associated with several controversial planning decisions. In 1974, he married Catherine Kennedy; they had one son and one daughter. Boland first ran for the Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election, but was unsuccessful. He did secure election to Seanad Éireann on the Labour Panel, becoming the youngest ever Senator at the time. He was re-elected to the Seanad in 1973.