Joe Carey

Joseph Carey (born 24 June 1975) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Clare constituency from the 2007 general election, until his resignation on medical grounds in August 2024.

Early life Carey is the son of Donal Carey who was a TD and Senator. He was educated at St Flannan's College, Ennis, and Galway Institute of Technology.

Political career From 1997 to 2007, Carey was a member of Clare County Council. He was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election. He was appointed Fine Gael deputy spokesperson on Justice, with special responsibility for Juvenile Justice in October 2007. In October 2010, he was appointed as assistant Chief Whip. He was a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly, where he served on the committee for European Affairs. He has previously served as a member of the Dáil Committee on Procedures and Privileges and Fine Gael spokesperson on Juvenile Justice and deputy Government Chief Whip.

In March 2023, Carey was hospitalised with breathing difficulties and began treatment for cardiac issues. In the December 2023 vote of confidence in minister Helen McEntee, Carey was paired with Neasa Hourigan. In April 2024 the Cork Examiner reported that his resignation on grounds of illness would be delayed until the autumn in order to preclude the need for a Dáil by-election to be held shortly before the imminent general election. Carey resigned on 27 August 2024, the seat remaining vacant until the dissolution of the 33rd Dáil on 8 November 2024.