Name: Sile de Valera.
Position: Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Age: 43.
Marital Status: Single.
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Background: Born in Dublin, grand-daughter of Eamon de Valera who now represents his old constituency of Clare. She first trained as a teacher and career guidance counsellor, then acquired a diploma in psychology. She has been a TD, or an MEP, since 1977, except for between 1984 and 1987. Appointed to the Cabinet for the first time by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
Interests: Reading, history, music (everything from classical to pop), all types of dance, theatre.
Why in the news: She's currently steering the Broadcast Bill through the Oireachtas, the first major piece of legislation in the area for more than a decade.
