Name:

Mary O'Rourke.

Age:

60 years.

Education:

St Peter's Athlone, Loreto Convent Bray, UCD, Maynooth College.

Family:

Married to Enda O'Rourke. They have two sons.

Background:

First elected to the Seanad in 1981 and to the Dail in 1982, she has held a variety of ministerial positions in a number of departments including Education, Enterprise and Employment and Industry and Commerce.

Why is she in the news?

As Minister for Public Enterprise she has been at the centre of negotiations in the dispute over the incoming ESB chief executive's pay.