Mary HanafinPosition: Minister for Education
Age:48
Party:Fianna Fáil
Constituency:Dún Laoghaire
Political career:A second-generation politician, following in the footsteps of her father, former senator Des Hanafin. Her brother John is a senator. Ten years a TD, she became a minister of state in 2000 and was government chief whip from 2002 to 2004, when she was appointed as Minister for Education. Spoken of as a potential party leader, she expressed an interest in continuing as Minister for Education.
Immediate challenges:Reaching maximum class sizes of 20 as promised in the party's 2002 manifesto.
