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Mary Harney was born in Dublin, County Dublin.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, Mary Harney was born in Ballinasloe, County Galway.
Mary Harney's parents were both engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Answer: True
Explanation: The provided information confirms that both of Mary Harney's parents were farmers.
Mary Harney pursued a degree in Law at Trinity College Dublin.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mary Harney studied Economic and Social Studies at Trinity College Dublin, not Law.
Mary Harney achieved the distinction of being the first female auditor of Trinity College Dublin's College Historical Society.
Answer: True
Explanation: During her academic tenure, Mary Harney was indeed the first woman to hold the position of auditor for Trinity College Dublin's College Historical Society.
What is Mary Harney's complete date of birth?
Answer: March 11, 1953
Explanation: Mary Harney was born on March 11, 1953.
In which county was Mary Harney born?
Answer: County Galway
Explanation: Mary Harney was born in Ballinasloe, County Galway.
What academic field did Mary Harney pursue at Trinity College Dublin?
Answer: Economics and Social Studies
Explanation: Mary Harney studied Economic and Social Studies at Trinity College Dublin.
Who is Mary Harney's husband, whom she married in November 2001?
Answer: Brian Geoghegan
Explanation: Mary Harney married Brian Geoghegan, a businessman, in November 2001.
Prior to her full-time political career, Mary Harney was employed as a solicitor.
Answer: False
Explanation: Before entering full-time politics, Mary Harney worked as a secondary school teacher, not as a solicitor.
Mary Harney received her initial appointment to Seanad Éireann subsequent to an unsuccessful bid in the 1977 general election.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following an unsuccessful general election campaign in 1977, Mary Harney was appointed to Seanad Éireann.
Mary Harney was the oldest member appointed to Seanad Éireann during her initial term.
Answer: False
Explanation: At the time of her appointment to Seanad Éireann, Mary Harney was the youngest member, not the oldest.
Mary Harney's inaugural electoral success was her election to Dáil Éireann in 1981.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mary Harney's first electoral success was her election to Dublin County Council in 1979, predating her Dáil Éireann election in 1981.
What was Mary Harney's profession immediately prior to entering full-time politics?
Answer: Secondary School Teacher
Explanation: Before dedicating herself to full-time politics, Mary Harney worked as a secondary school teacher.
By what mechanism did Mary Harney first enter the political sphere?
Answer: Appointed to Seanad Éireann after an unsuccessful election bid.
Explanation: Mary Harney's initial entry into politics was through an appointment to Seanad Éireann following her unsuccessful attempt in the 1977 general election.
What distinction did Mary Harney hold at the time of her appointment to Seanad Éireann?
Answer: She was the youngest member.
Explanation: Upon her appointment to Seanad Éireann, Mary Harney was the youngest member of the Seanad.
In which year did Mary Harney achieve her first electoral success?
Answer: 1979
Explanation: Mary Harney's first electoral success occurred in 1979 when she was elected to Dublin County Council.
Which constituency did Mary Harney represent upon her first election to the Dáil Éireann?
Answer: Dublin South-West
Explanation: Mary Harney represented the constituency of Dublin South-West upon her first election to the Dáil Éireann.
Mary Harney maintained her membership within Fianna Fáil until the conclusion of her life.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mary Harney was a member of Fianna Fáil from 1977 to 1985, not until her death.
Mary Harney faced expulsion from Fianna Fáil due to her support for the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mary Harney was expelled from Fianna Fáil in 1985 for voting in favour of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Mary Harney was a co-founder of the Progressive Democrats party alongside Charles Haughey.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Progressive Democrats were co-founded by Mary Harney, Desmond O'Malley, and Bobby Molloy, not Charles Haughey.
With which political party was Mary Harney affiliated from 1977 until 1985?
Answer: Fianna Fáil
Explanation: Mary Harney was a member of Fianna Fáil during the period of 1977 to 1985.
What was the principal reason for Mary Harney's expulsion from Fianna Fáil?
Answer: Supporting the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Explanation: Mary Harney's expulsion from Fianna Fáil in 1985 was a consequence of her support for the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Which political party did Mary Harney co-found in December 1985?
Answer: The Progressive Democrats
Explanation: In December 1985, Mary Harney was a co-founder of the Progressive Democrats party.
Which party was Mary Harney affiliated with upon her first election to the Dáil in 1981?
Answer: Fianna Fáil
Explanation: Upon her initial election to the Dáil in 1981, Mary Harney was affiliated with Fianna Fáil.
What was Mary Harney's political affiliation upon her first election to the Dáil Éireann in 1981?
Answer: Fianna Fáil
Explanation: Mary Harney was affiliated with Fianna Fáil when she was first elected to the Dáil Éireann in 1981.
Mary Harney held the position of Minister of State with responsibility for Environmental Protection.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the 1989 general election, Mary Harney was appointed Minister of State for Environmental Protection.
The legislation championed by Mary Harney to ban bituminous coal successfully eliminated smog in Dublin.
Answer: True
Explanation: As Minister of State, Mary Harney championed legislation that banned the sale of bituminous coal in Dublin, leading to the elimination of smog in the city.
Mary Harney inaugurated the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) in 2004.
Answer: True
Explanation: As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney established the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) in May 2004.
Mary Harney was appointed Minister for Health and Children in late 2005.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mary Harney was appointed Minister for Health and Children on September 29, 2004, not in late 2005.
The policy of risk equalization, introduced by Mary Harney, precipitated BUPA Ireland's withdrawal from the market.
Answer: True
Explanation: The introduction of risk equalization by Mary Harney led to significant resistance from BUPA Ireland, ultimately causing the company to exit the market.
What ministerial role did Mary Harney assume following the 1989 general election?
Answer: Minister of State for Environmental Protection
Explanation: After the 1989 general election, Mary Harney was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Environmental Protection.
What significant environmental legislation did Mary Harney champion during her tenure as Minister of State?
Answer: Championing legislation to ban bituminous coal in Dublin.
Explanation: As Minister of State, Mary Harney was instrumental in championing legislation to ban the sale of bituminous coal within Dublin.
Which ministerial portfolio did Mary Harney hold concurrently with her Tanaiste role from June 1997 to September 2004?
Answer: Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Explanation: From June 1997 to September 2004, Mary Harney served as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment while also holding the position of Tanaiste.
What was the primary objective of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) established by Mary Harney?
Answer: To provide a faster, cheaper way to handle personal injury claims.
Explanation: The PIAB was established to streamline the process for personal injury claims, aiming for quicker and more cost-effective resolutions.
On what date was Mary Harney appointed Minister for Health and Children?
Answer: September 29, 2004
Explanation: Mary Harney assumed the role of Minister for Health and Children on September 29, 2004.
Which company strongly resisted Mary Harney's policy of risk equalization within the Irish healthcare market?
Answer: BUPA Ireland
Explanation: BUPA Ireland was a prominent entity that strongly resisted the risk equalization policy introduced by Mary Harney.
What was Mary Harney's role concerning the Software Patents Directive within the European Council of Ministers?
Answer: She chaired a meeting that excluded software innovations from patentability.
Explanation: Mary Harney chaired the meeting within the European Council of Ministers that resulted in the exclusion of software innovations from patentability under the Software Patents Directive.
What was the primary objective of establishing the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)?
Answer: To reduce high litigation costs and speed up compensation.
Explanation: The establishment of PIAB aimed to reduce the high costs associated with litigation and expedite the compensation process for personal injury claims.
What action did Mary Harney take concerning the Software Patents Directive?
Answer: She chaired a meeting that removed software patents.
Explanation: Mary Harney chaired a meeting of the European Council of Ministers that resulted in the removal of software patents from the directive.
Mary Harney achieved the distinction of being the first female leader of an Irish political party represented in Dáil Éireann.
Answer: True
Explanation: Upon becoming leader of the Progressive Democrats in 1993, Mary Harney became the first female leader of an Irish political party with representation in Dáil Éireann.
Mary Harney served as Tanaiste for a continuous period spanning from 1997 to 2006.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mary Harney served as Tanaiste continuously from June 1997 until September 2006.
Mary Harney holds the distinction of being Ireland's first female Tanaiste.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mary Harney's appointment as Tanaiste in 1997 marked her as the first woman to hold this office in Ireland.
During her tenure as Tanaiste, Mary Harney concurrently held the portfolio for Finance.
Answer: False
Explanation: While serving as Tanaiste from 1997 to 2004, Mary Harney held the portfolio for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, not Finance.
Mary Harney tendered her resignation as leader of the Progressive Democrats in September 2006.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mary Harney announced her resignation as leader of the Progressive Democrats on September 7, 2006.
Michael McDowell succeeded Mary Harney as leader of the Progressive Democrats in 2008.
Answer: False
Explanation: Michael McDowell succeeded Mary Harney as leader of the Progressive Democrats in September 2006, not in 2008.
Upon assuming leadership of the Progressive Democrats, what historical milestone did Mary Harney achieve?
Answer: Became the first female leader of an Irish party in Dáil Éireann.
Explanation: Mary Harney's ascent to leadership of the Progressive Democrats marked her as the first female leader of an Irish political party with representation in Dáil Éireann.
Mary Harney served as Tanaiste from June 1997 until which month and year?
Answer: September 2006
Explanation: Mary Harney served as Tanaiste from June 1997 until September 2006.
Who succeeded Mary Harney as the leader of the Progressive Democrats in April 2008?
Answer: Ciarán Cannon
Explanation: Ciarán Cannon assumed leadership of the Progressive Democrats in April 2008, succeeding Mary Harney.
What was the outcome for the Progressive Democrats in the 2007 general election, and how did it affect Mary Harney's leadership role?
Answer: They lost most of their seats, including the leader's.
Explanation: The Progressive Democrats experienced a significant decline in the 2007 general election, losing most of their seats, which led Mary Harney to resume leadership in a caretaker capacity.
In the government formed following the 1997 general election, what key roles did Mary Harney hold?
Answer: Tánáiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Explanation: Following the 1997 general election, Mary Harney assumed the roles of Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Mary Harney resumed leadership of the Progressive Democrats in a caretaker capacity following which event?
Answer: The party's poor performance in the 2007 general election.
Explanation: Following the Progressive Democrats' poor performance in the 2007 general election, Mary Harney resumed leadership of the party in a caretaker capacity.
In May 2006, the Irish Nurses Organisation passed a vote of confidence in Mary Harney.
Answer: False
Explanation: In May 2006, the Irish Nurses Organisation passed a motion of no confidence in Mary Harney, citing concerns about her approach to nursing issues.
A 2006 survey ranked the Irish health service as the second-least consumer-friendly in Europe.
Answer: True
Explanation: A June 2006 survey indicated that the Irish health service ranked 25th out of 26 countries, making it the second-least consumer-friendly in Europe.
During a FÁS trip to the United States, Mary Harney's hairdressing bill was covered by FÁS.
Answer: True
Explanation: Reports indicated that FÁS covered Mary Harney's hairdressing expenses during a trip to Florida.
What action did the Irish Nurses Organisation take concerning Mary Harney in May 2006?
Answer: Passed a motion of no confidence in her.
Explanation: In May 2006, the Irish Nurses Organisation passed a motion of no confidence in Mary Harney.
According to a June 2006 survey, how did the Irish health service rank in terms of consumer-friendliness among European countries?
Answer: 25th (second-least) consumer-friendly
Explanation: A survey in June 2006 positioned the Irish health service as the second-least consumer-friendly in Europe, ranking 25th out of 26 nations.
What controversy arose in July 2006 concerning Mary Harney's mother and her hospital treatment?
Answer: Allegations of preferential treatment for hip surgery.
Explanation: In July 2006, allegations surfaced regarding Mary Harney's mother allegedly receiving preferential treatment for hip surgery, bypassing other emergency cases.
Under what justification did Mary Harney issue orders exempting new nursing units in Phoenix Park from standard planning permission requirements?
Answer: Due to an emergency response to the A&E crisis.
Explanation: The exemption from planning permission for the Phoenix Park nursing units was justified as an emergency response to the prevailing accident and emergency crisis.
What incident occurred in Ballyfermot in November 2010 involving Councillor Louise Minihan?
Answer: Minihan threw red paint at Mary Harney.
Explanation: In November 2010, Councillor Louise Minihan threw red paint at Mary Harney during an event in Ballyfermot.
What was the nature of the controversy surrounding Mary Harney's trip to Florida with FÁS executives?
Answer: FÁS covered her expenses, including hairdressing.
Explanation: The controversy involved FÁS covering Mary Harney's expenses during a trip to Florida, notably including her hairdressing bill.
What was the stated justification for exempting the Phoenix Park nursing units from planning permission?
Answer: Emergency response to the A&E crisis.
Explanation: The exemption for the Phoenix Park nursing units was justified by the Department of Health as an emergency response to the prevailing accident and emergency crisis.
What was the approximate cost of Mary Harney's controversial trip aboard an Air Corps aircraft in December 2001?
Answer: €1,500
Explanation: The controversial trip taken by Mary Harney on an Air Corps aircraft in December 2001 incurred an approximate cost of €1,500.
What was the outcome of the poll conducted by The Irish Times in December 2006 concerning Mary Harney's performance as Health Minister?
Answer: 60% felt her appointment had not improved the health service.
Explanation: A poll by The Irish Times in December 2006 indicated that 60% of respondents believed Mary Harney's tenure as Health Minister had not improved the health service.
What was Mary Harney's justification for utilizing the government jet in December 2001?
Answer: The Taoiseach approved its use.
Explanation: Mary Harney justified the use of the government jet in December 2001 by stating that its use had been approved by the Taoiseach.
Mary Harney continued as a party-affiliated TD after the Progressive Democrats disbanded.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following the disbandment of the Progressive Democrats, Mary Harney continued her service as an independent TD, not as a party-affiliated one.
Mary Harney retired from the Dáil Éireann prior to the 2011 general election.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mary Harney announced her retirement from the Dáil Éireann before the 2011 general election.
Mary Harney received substantial compensation from Newstalk radio in 2011.
Answer: True
Explanation: In May 2011, Mary Harney received substantial compensation from Newstalk radio following a libel settlement.
Following her departure from political office, Mary Harney joined the board of the Bank of Ireland.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Mary Harney joined several boards after leaving politics, the Bank of Ireland is not listed among them; her board memberships included Cara, Euro Insurances, and Biocon.
Mary Harney was appointed Chancellor of the University of Limerick in 2019.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mary Harney was appointed Chancellor of the University of Limerick in January 2018, not in 2019.
What was Mary Harney's political status following the disbandment of the Progressive Democrats in November 2008?
Answer: She continued as an independent TD.
Explanation: After the Progressive Democrats disbanded in November 2008, Mary Harney continued her service in the Dáil as an independent Teachta Dála (TD).
Mary Harney resigned as Minister for Health and Children in January 2011. Did she contest the subsequent general election?
Answer: No, she retired from the Dáil.
Explanation: Mary Harney did not contest the 2011 general election; she retired from the Dáil Éireann.
In which year did Mary Harney settle a libel case against the Sunday Independent?
Answer: 2004
Explanation: Mary Harney settled a libel case against the Sunday Independent in 2004.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a board Mary Harney joined subsequent to leaving political office?
Answer: Aer Lingus (airline)
Explanation: Aer Lingus is not listed among the boards Mary Harney joined after leaving political office; her memberships included Cara, Euro Insurances, and Biocon.
In what year did Trinity College Dublin bestow an honorary doctorate upon Mary Harney?
Answer: 2019
Explanation: Trinity College Dublin awarded Mary Harney an honorary doctorate in 2019.
When was Mary Harney appointed Chancellor of the University of Limerick?
Answer: January 2018
Explanation: Mary Harney was appointed Chancellor of the University of Limerick in January 2018.
For what duration did Mary Harney serve as a Teachta Dáil Éireann (TD)?
Answer: Approximately 30 years
Explanation: Mary Harney served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for approximately 30 years, from 1981 to 2011.
Which of the following libel cases did Mary Harney settle for approximately €25,000?
Answer: Case against Magill magazine
Explanation: Mary Harney settled a libel case against Magill magazine for approximately €25,000 in 2002.
What recognition did Trinity College Dublin bestow upon Mary Harney in 2019?
Answer: An honorary doctorate
Explanation: In 2019, Trinity College Dublin awarded Mary Harney an honorary doctorate.