John Boland (Fine Gael politician)

John James Boland (30 November 1944 – 14 August 2000) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Health from January 1987 to March 1987, Minister for the Environment from 1986 to 1987, Minister for the Public Service from 1982 to 1986 and Minister for Education from 1981 to 1982. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 1989. He also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 1969 to 1977.^[1]

Boland was born in Dublin in 1944 in Terenure, Dublin, the eldest of two sons and one daughter of Charles Boland and his wife Kathleen Boland (née Whitty), both of whom were civil servants.^[2] He was educated at Synge Street CBS school and University College Dublin (UCD), where he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree. While in UCD, he served as editor of student publication, Awake.

He first held political office in 1967, when he was elected to Dublin County Council at age 23. He served on that authority until 1981. In 1971, he became the council's youngest ever chairperson at age 26.^[2] While a councillor, he was associated with several controversial planning decisions.^[2] In 1974, he married Catherine Kennedy; they had one son and one daughter.^[2]

Boland first ran for the Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election, but was unsuccessful. He did secure election to Seanad Éireann on the Labour Panel, becoming the youngest ever Senator at the time.^[2] He was re-elected to the Seanad in 1973.^[2]

Boland was elected to Dáil on his third attempt at the 1977 general election as a Fine Gael TD for the Dublin County North constituency. He retained his seat at each subsequent election until losing it in the 1989 election^[3]

On becoming Fine Gael leader, Garret FitzGerald appointed Boland to the Opposition front bench as spokesperson on Health; he later served as spokesperson on the Environment.

In 1981, Fine Gael formed a government with the Labour Party, with Boland becoming Minister for Education. In this capacity he achieved the landmark abolition of corporal punishment in schools.^[2]

Boland later served in a range of portfolios in Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald's second government. As Minister for the Public Service, Boland introduced several significant reforms including merit-based promotion (instead of promotions being solely seniority-based as before) and open competitions for the most senior civil service jobs.

Boland changed the law so that civil servants could no longer refuse to provide their names, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.^[4]

As Minister for the Public Service he appointed Ireland's first Ombudsman, Michael Mills.^[5]

Boland subsequently served as Minister for the Environment. He led the procurement, on behalf of the State, of Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Demesne, Newbridge House and Farm,^[6] Skerries Mills and Red Island, Skerries. He also established the first National Parks Strategy.^[2]

After politics, Boland qualified as a barrister and practised on the Dublin and eastern circuits.^[2] He also wrote a political column for the Sunday Business Post.

After a long illness with cancer, Boland died on 14 August 2000.^[2] Many people paid tribute upon his death, including former Taoisigh FitzGerald and John Bruton. Fitzgerald stated that Boland had done more than any Minister in the history of the State to reform the public service, while Bruton remarked that Boland was "one of the most courageous, imaginative and innovative politicians" he had known. ^[7]