Political Career
In December 1995, he was nominated by the Taoiseach, John Bruton, to the 20th Seanad Éireann, where he was appointed Government spokesperson on the Environment. Hayes was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election for the Dublin South–West constituency. He was immediately appointed Fine Gael spokesperson on Housing, House Prices and Urban Renewal.
In a reshuffle of the Fine Gael front bench in June 2000, Hayes was promoted as Front Bench spokesperson on Northern Ireland. Between 2001 and 2002 he served as Fine Gael's Front Bench spokesperson on Social and Community Affairs. Hayes lost his seat at the 2002 general election but was elected to Seanad Éireann, where he served as Fine Gael party leader and spokesperson on Defence and Northern Ireland.
At the 2007 general election he was elected to the Dáil on the first count in the Dublin South–West constituency. He was party spokesperson for Education and Science from 2007–2010.
On 19 August 2008, Hayes used a report in the Irish Independent to say that immigrant children should be "segregated" until their English language skills match those of native children. Hayes's comments generated considerable debate in the days that followed. The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) described the idea put forward by Hayes as "discriminatory, inequitable and deeply flawed". Hayes was found to be "on holidays and unavailable for further comment" when attempts were made to contact him. He later said sorry and spoke of his regret but insisted this "should not take away from the substance of what I said".
Read more about this topic: Brian Hayes (politician)
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