Dermot Ahern TD Extract “ first elected to Dail Eireann February 1987 early days in Dail served as Government Chief Whip Minister of State Dept. of Defence Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs 1997 to 2002 Minister of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources June 2002 until appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs September 2004 member of British-Irish Interparliamentary Body 1990 bringing parliamentarians together to contribute to mutual understanding – Co-chairman of PIIPB 1993-1995. As Minister for Foreign Affairs involved in current political efforts to restore devolved government to Northern Ireland jointly chairs British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference established under Good Friday Agreement regular contacts with political representatives ongoing engagement with community leaders cross-community groups in reconciliation work across Northern Ireland. Dermot is married to Maeve."