Paul Bradford

For the American football cornerback, seePaul Bradford (American football).

Paul Bradford
Senator
In office September 2002 – June 2016
In office April 1987 – June 1989
Constituency	Agricultural Panel
Teachta Dála
In office June 1989–May 2002
Constituency	Cork East
Personal details
Born	(1963-12-01)1 December 1963 Cork,Ireland
Political party	Renua(2015–20??)
Other political affiliations	Independent(2013–2015) Fine Gael(until 2013)
Spouse	Lucinda Creighton ​ (m.2011)​
Children	3
Alma mater	University College Cork

Paul Bradford(born 1 December 1963) is an Irish former politician who served as aSenatorfor theAgricultural Panelfrom 1987 to 1989 and 2002 to 2016. He served as aTeachta Dála(TD) for theCork Eastconstituency from 1989 to 2002.

Early and private life

Bradford was born in Mourne Abbey nearMallow, County Corkin 1963. He was educated at the Patrician Academy in Mallow. He is married to formerRenuaTDLucinda Creighton.

Political career

Bradford became involved in politics at a young age, becoming the youngest-ever member ofCork County Councilwhen he was elected in 1985 at the age of 21. Two years later in 1987 he was elected to the18th Seanadon theAgricultural Panel,becoming the youngest-ever elected Senator. As a member of Seanad Éireann he was Fine Gael spokesperson on Communications and Energy. At the1989 general electionhe was elected toDáil Éireannfor the first time for theCork Eastconstituency.In 1994 he joinedJohn Bruton's front bench as spokesperson on Defence and the Marine.

In 1994, Fine Gael came to power and Bradford became co-chair of theBritish–Irish Parliamentary Assembly.In 1997, the party was back in opposition and he was appointed spokesperson on Health, Food Safety and Older People. In 2000, Bradford became spokesperson on Youth Affairs, School Transport and Adult Education. UnderMichael Noonan's leadership he was promoted to partyChief Whip,in which position he served until he lost his seat at the2002 general election.He was subsequently elected toSeanad Éireannas a Senator for theAgricultural Panel.He was appointed Fine Gael spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Seanad.

He was an unsuccessful candidate in Cork East for Dáil Éireann at the2007 general electionbut was re-elected to the Seanad. He was again re-elected to the Seanad in 2011. He was the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Justice until July 2013.

Bradford was expelled from the Fine Gael parliamentary party on 16 July 2013 when he defied the party whip by voting against theProtection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013.On 13 September 2013, he and six other expellees formed theReform Alliance,described as a "loose alliance" rather than a political party.

He joinedRenuaon its foundation in March 2015 and contested the2016 general electionfor the party inCork East,but, like all the party's candidates, failed to win a seat.