David Stanton (born 15 February 1957) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork East constituency from 1997 to 2024. He served as a Minister of State from 2016 to 2020.[1]
Stanton was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election and has been re-elected at every general election since.[3] He was party spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs, and Equality from 2004 to 2007. Prior to this he acted as deputy spokesperson on Education and Science, and spokesperson on Labour Affairs, Consumer Rights and Trade from 1997 to 2002. From 2007 to 2010, he was party Assistant Chief Whip (Dáil Reform) with special responsibility for Disability Issues. In July 2010, he was appointed spokesperson on Defence.[4]
In this role, Stanton formally announced the State's intention, following Government approval, to establish an Irish gambling regulatory under the auspices of the Department of Justice. Speaking as then Minister of State with special responsibility for gambling regulation, Stanton said, "A modern and effectively regulated gambling environment will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that gambling will be a safe, fair and entertaining activity for the majority of those who choose to take part in it. We must ensure that it will provide enhanced consumer protection for players while limiting to the greatest extent possible the harmful effects on young people and those who may be susceptible to addiction."[10]
During his time in the Department of Justice, Stanton played a key role in the creation of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The Act provided many law changes including for new criminal offences in relation to coercive control and forced marriage. Former Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan thanked Stanton for his work on this matter stating, "Minister Stanton successfully brought the Bill through Committee and Report Stages in the Upper House, during which many important amendments were made."[11]
^"David Stanton". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
^O'Halloran, Marie (28 February 2016). "Profile: David Stanton (FG)". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
^"David Stanton". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2009.