Joe O'Reilly

Who is Joe O'Reilly?

Joe O'Reilly is an Irish Fine Gael politician. A former Senator, he was elected at the general election in February 2011 as a Teachta Dála for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency.

Born in Cootehill, County Cavan, he was educated at St. Aidan's Comprehensive School, Cootehill; University College Dublin; Trinity College, Dublin; St Patrick's College of Education and the Dublin Institute of Technology. O'Reilly is a primary schoolteacher by profession. He was first elected in 1989 to the 19th Seanad on the Cultural and Educational Panel. He lost his seat at the 1993 election to the 20th Seanad, and was unsuccessful again at the 1997 Seanad election. He was elected to Cavan County Council in 1985 but lost his seat in 1991. He was re-elected at the 1999 local elections for the Bailieborough area and again in 2004.

He was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2007 general election for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency, but was elected to the 23rd Seanad. on the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

He was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2009 European Parliament election for the North-West constituency.

In the 23rd Seanad, he was the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.