David Stanton TD was appointed Minister of State for Justice at the Department of Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration on Thursday, 19th of May 2016.
David was first elected to Dáil Éireann representing Cork East in 1997 and has been returned at each subsequent election.
In the previous Oireachtas, David was Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. He was also the Chairperson of the Working Group of Committee Chairs.
Under David’s leadership, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality dealt with a vast array of policy and legislation under its remit, in areas such as legal capacity, domestic and sexual violence, prostitution, bankruptcy, firearms, penal reform, new Garda Authority and Human Rights and Equality Commission and numerous pieces of legislation in the criminal justice area. The Committee can also be credited with the establishment of a National Missing Persons Day.
While in opposition, David held various Fine Gael spokesperson and deputy spokesperson positions, most recently on Social and Family Affairs and Equality, Defence, Dáil Reform, Small Business and Agriculture. While in these roles David was instrumental in developing shaping legislation such as the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 and Disability Act, 2005 and the development on Fine Gael policies on Early Childhood Education and Oireachtas Reform.
In the current Dáil, David is a member of the All-Party Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform.
Prior to becoming a full time public representative David was a second level school teacher of educational woodwork and construction studies. He also worked as a career guidance counsellor which included home school community liaison.
Originally from a farming background in Ladysbridge, David is married with four sons and lives near Ballinacurra, Midleton.
David holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematical Science and Sociology, Diplomas in Career Guidance and Counselling, Education Administration and a Masters in Education. He is also a former Commissioned Officer in the Army Reserve.
You can contact Mr Stanton at david.stanton@oireachtas.ie