Michael Smith (Irish politician)

For other people named Michael Smith, see Michael Smith (disambiguation).
Michael Smith
Teachta Dála
In office
February 1987  May 2007
In office
June 1977  February 1982
In office
June 1969  February 1973
Constituency Tipperary North
Senator
In office
February 1983  February 1987
Constituency Cultural and Educational Panel
In office
May 1982  December 1982
Constituency Agricultural Panel
Personal details
Born (1940-11-08) 8 November 1940
Roscrea, County Tipperary
Nationality Irish
Political party Fianna Fáil

Michael Smith (born 8 November 1940) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for Tipperary North on several occasions since 1969. He previously served in Seanad Éireann (1982–1987), as Minister for Energy (1988–1989), Minister for the Environment (1992–1994), Minister for Education (1994) and Minister for Defence (1997–2004).[1]

Background and education

Smith was born in Roscrea, County Tipperary in 1940. He was educated at CBS Templemore in County Tipperary. Smith worked as a farmer before he entered Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Tipperary North constituency.[2]

He lost his seat at the 1973 general election but was re-elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1977 general election.

Political career

1980s

In 1980 Charles Haughey was Taoiseach and Smith was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture. Smith lost his Dáil seat again at the February 1982 general election, and failed to regain it at the November 1982 general election. He spent the next five years as a Senator in Seanad Éireann, elected first on the Agricultural Panel and then on the Cultural and Educational Panel, before his re-election to the Dáil at the 1987 general election.

When he was returned to the Dáil at the 1987 general election he became Minister of State at the Department of Energy. In 1988 he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Energy. His stay as Minister was short because following the 1989 general election he was demoted to Minister of State for Science and Technology.

1992–2007

In 1992 he returned to Cabinet for two years as Minister for the Environment. In October 1997 he replaced David Andrews as Minister for Defence and held that position until he was dropped from the Cabinet in a reshuffle in 2004. During his tenure Smith dealt with the Army deafness compensation issue that ultimately resulted in claims of €300 million against the State.

At the 2007 general election he lost his seat to Noel Coonan of Fine Gael.

References

  1. "Mr. Michael Smith". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  2. "Michael Smith". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
Oireachtas
Preceded by
Patrick Tierney
(Labour Party)
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Tipperary North
1969–1973
Succeeded by
John Ryan
(Labour Party)
Preceded by
Thomas Dunne
(Fine Gael)
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Tipperary North
1977–1982
Succeeded by
David Molony
(Fine Gael)
Preceded by
John Ryan
(Labour Party)
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Tipperary North
1987–2007
Succeeded by
Noel Coonan
(Fine Gael)
Political offices
Preceded by
Thomas Hussey
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture
1980–1981
Succeeded by
Position abolished
Preceded by
Michael D'Arcy
Minister of State for Forestry
1987
Succeeded by
Denis Lyons
Preceded by
New position
Minister of State for Science and Technology
1987–1988
Succeeded by
Liam Aylward
Preceded by
Ray Burke
Minister for Energy
1988–1989
Succeeded by
Bobby Molloy
Preceded by
Liam Aylward
Minister of State for Science and Technology
1989–1991
Succeeded by
Position abolished
Preceded by
Rory O'Hanlon
Minister for the Environment
1992–1994
Succeeded by
Brendan Howlin
Preceded by
Niamh Bhreathnach
Minister for Education
1994
Succeeded by
Niamh Bhreathnach
Preceded by
New position
Minister of State for Science and Technology
1997
Succeeded by
Noel Treacy
Preceded by
David Andrews
Minister for Defence
1997–2004
Succeeded by
Willie O'Dea
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