Michael Smith (born 8 November 1940) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Defence from 1997 to 2004, Minister for Education from November 1994 to December 1994, Minister for the Environment from 1992 to 1994 and a Minister of State in various governments. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Tipperary North constituency from 1969 to 1973, 1977 to 1981 and 1987 to 2002. He also served as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 1983 to 1987 and for the Agricultural Panel from May 1982 to December 1982.[1]
Michael Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 1990 | |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 8 October 1997 – 29 September 2004 | |
| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | David Andrews |
| Succeeded by | Willie O'Dea |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 18 November – 15 December 1994 | |
| Taoiseach | Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Séamus Brennan |
| Succeeded by | Niamh Bhreathnach |
| Minister for the Environment | |
| In office 14 February 1992 – 14 December 1994 | |
| Taoiseach | Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Rory O'Hanlon |
| Succeeded by | Brendan Howlin |
| Minister for Energy | |
| In office 24 November 1988 – 12 July 1989 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Minister of State | |
| July–Oct. 1997 | Education and Science |
| July–Oct. 1997 | Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
| 1989–1991 | Industry and Commerce |
| 1987–1988 | Energy |
| March 1987 | Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry |
| 1980–1981 | Agriculture |
| 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 23 February 1983 – 17 February 1987 | |
| Constituency | Cultural and Educational Panel |
| In office 13 May 1982 – 23 February 1983 | |
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 November 1940 Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse |
Mary Smith (m. 1970) |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | CBS Templemore |
Background and education
editSmith was born in Roscrea, County Tipperary in 1940. He was educated at CBS Templemore in County Tipperary. Smith worked as a farmer before entering 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
edit1980s
editIn 1980, the Taoiseach Charles Haughey appointed him 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 by the Agricultural Panel and then by the Cultural and Educational Panel, before his re-election to the Dáil at the 1987 general election.
When Smith was returned to the Dáil in 1987, he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Energy. He was appointed to cabinet as the Minister for Energy in 1988. His stay in cabinet was brief; following the 1989 general election he was demoted to Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce.
1992–2007
editIn February 1992, he returned to cabinet for two years as Minister for the Environment.[3][4] He held office until Fianna Fáil left government in December 1994.
After the 1997 election, Fianna Fáil returned to government and Smith was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science.[5] 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.[6][7] 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
edit- ^ "Michael Smith". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- ^ "Michael Smith". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- ^ "Members of Government and Ministers of State: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (26th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 February 1992. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil) – Vol. 425 No. 7". Houses of the Oireachtas. 10 February 1993. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 9 July 1997. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ "Appointment of Member of Government – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 9 October 1997. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion – Dáil Éireann (29th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 29 September 2004. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.