John James Boland (30 November 1944 – 14 August 2000) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Health from January 1987 to March 1987, Minister for the Environment from 1986 to 1987, Minister for the Public Service from 1982 to 1986 and Minister for Education from 1981 to 1982. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 1989. He also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 1969 to 1977.
Biography
Boland was born in Dublin in 1944 in Terenure, Dublin, the eldest of two sons and one daughter of Charles Boland and his wife Kathleen Boland (née Whitty), both of whom were civil servants. He was educated at Synge Street CBS school and University College Dublin (UCD), where he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree. While in UCD, he served as editor of the student publication, Awake.
He first held political office in 1967, when he was elected to Dublin County Council at age 23. He served on that authority until 1981. In 1971, he became the council's youngest-ever chairperson at age 26.
On becoming Fine Gael leader, Garret FitzGerald appointed Boland to the Opposition front bench as spokesperson on Health; he later served as spokesperson on the Environment.
In 1981, Fine Gael formed a government with the Labour Party, with Boland becoming Minister for Education. In this capacity, he achieved the landmark abolition of corporal punishment in schools.
As Minister for the Public Service, he appointed Ireland's first Ombudsman, Michael Mills.
Boland subsequently served as Minister for the Environment. He led the procurement, on behalf of the State, of Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Demesne, Newbridge House and Farm, Skerries Mills and Red Island, Skerries. He also established the first National Parks Strategy.