Billy Kelleher

Billy Kelleher (Irish Liam Ó Céilléachair, born January 20, 1968 in Cork) is an Irish politician ( Fianna Fáil ) and, since 1997 deputy in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish Parliament.

Kelleher visited the Upper Glanmire National School and then the Sacred Heart College in Carrignavar, County Cork. He then attended the Pallaskenry Agricultural College in County Limerick. Kelleher has now worked as a farmer.

In 1992 he ran for the first time Fianna Fáil in elections to Dáil Éireann. However, it was not possible to gain a mandate from him. In 1993 he was appointed Senator in the 20th Seanad Eireann by Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. In the next elections to Dáil Éireann in 1997 Kelleher was this time win a seat in the constituency of Cork North Central. He thus retired from the Seanad Éireann. In the years 2002 and 2007, he managed to defend his seat in the Dáil, respectively. In a deputy, he held several times the post of Minister of State. He was from June 2007 to April 2009 Minister of State for Labour Affairs and from April 2009 to March 2011 Minister of State for Trade and Development.

Kelleher is married and has three children.