Paul Kehoe TD - Wexford

Paul Kehoe, TD

Paul Kehoe TD is the Fine Gael spokesperson for Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Special Education and Inclusion. He is the Chairman of the Joint Committee of Oireachtas Committee Chairpersons. He served as Minister with Responsibility for Defence from May 2016 to June 2020. Paul previously served as the Government Chief Whip & Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach & Defence. He has represented County Wexford as a TD since he was first elected to the Dáil in May 2002.

He was appointed Fine Gael Chief Whip in October 2004, a position he held in opposition until March 2011 when he was appointed Government Chief Whip by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD. In this role he has introduced a significant amount of Dáil Reform, which has enhanced the way the Oireachtas does its business, a huge increase in Dáil sitting days, the introduction of Friday sittings and Topical Issues Debates. The increase in Dáil sitting days has also resulted in the drafting, introduction and enacting of more legislation. He also overseen the reform of the Oireachtas Committee System which has increased their effectiveness.

Paul has combined his role as Government Chief Whip with the roles of Minister of State at the Department of An Taoiseach and Defence. In his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence he has visited serving members of the Irish Defence Forces on duty in the Lebanon and the Golan Heights. He has also overseen the inspection of departing troops ahead of UN peace keeping missions, Cadet passing out ceremonies and the commissioning of the new naval vessel the L.E. Samuel Beckett.

Despite the demands of serving as a Cabinet Minister, Paul always works hard for his constituents in Wexford. He holds weekly advice clinics at his offices in Enniscorthy and New Ross, as well as in Gorey and Wexford Town.

He has been campaigning for the County’s interests at a national level for the 13 years he has been a TD. His priorities in opposition were securing a new A&E at Wexford General Hospital, new bypasses for Enniscorthy and New Ross and a flood relief scheme for Enniscorthy Town – funding has been secured for all of these projects by this Government. There has also been massive capital investment in schools across County Wexford including multi-million euro extensions for St Aidan’s NS in Enniscorthy and Colaiste Abbain in Adamstown.

In 2013 Minister Kehoe played a central role in the JFK50 celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of President John F Kennedy’s visit to his ancestral home in New Ross. As Chairperson of the Government Steering Group the Minister gave an oration in Arlington Cemetery in Washington and took a light from the eternal flame at JFK’s graveside which he carried back to a monument on the quay side in New Ross where the eternal flame was ignited by JFK’s daughter Caroline, his sister Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Paul lives in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford with his wife Brigid and their three children Sinead, Eoin and Emma. He has been a member of Fine Gael since his youth and has held several branch roles, including District Chairman and County Youth Officer. Paul has an interest in Rugby, GAA and horse racing. He has been a member of Enniscorthy Rugby Club and the local GAA club in Ballyhogue. Paul’s favourite film is Saving Private Ryan (filmed in County Wexford) and he enjoys reading political biographies.

News & Statements

HEA and UL must appear before Oireachtas Education Committee - Kehoe

Representatives of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the University of Limerick must appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to explain occurrences with the provision of housing at the university, a Fine Gael TD has said.

29th March 2024

All primary schools to be connected to high speed broadband by end of year - Kehoe

Every primary school in the country is to be connected to high-speed broadband by the end of this year, a Fine Gael TD has said.

13th November 2023

Budget 2024 is a landmark budget for higher education – Kehoe

Budget 2024 is significantly reducing the cost of higher education to help students and their families, said a Fine Gael TD.

10th October 2023

Sinn Féin pluck numbers out of the sky, punishing third level students – Kehoe

Fine Gael Education, Further and Higher Education Spokesperson Paul Kehoe said that Sinn Fein’s alternative Budget promises a €1,000 reduction in student fees and increases in student grants. The problem is, they don’t have the money for it.

4th October 2023

Kehoe calls for Best Young Entrepreneur competition to be reinstated

Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe has called for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition to be reinstated after being paused during the pandemic.

2nd August 2023

Free school books for primary school pupils easing Back to School burden on parents – Kehoe

Parents of children attending primary and special schools are feeling the benefit of free schoolbooks from September, a Fine Gael Deputy has said.

26th July 2023

Kehoe welcomes awarding of tender for upgrade works at Rosslare Europort

Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe has welcomed the awarding of a tender contract for upgrade works at Rosslare Europort.

25th April 2023

Junior Cycle examiner shortage must be tackled to avoid future result delay – Kehoe

A shortage of Junior Cycle examiners must be tackled to ensure students are not left in the dark while waiting for a result date in the future, a Fine Gael TD has said.

18th October 2022

Budget 2023 cuts the cost of education for families

Budget 2023 cuts the cost of education to help pupils, students, and their families, according to the Chair of the Oireachtas Education Committee, Paul Kehoe TD, and the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Education, Senator Aisling Dolan.

27th September 2022