Michael Smith (Irish politician)
Michael Smith (born 8 November 1940) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Defence from 1997 to 2004, Minister of State for Science and Technology from July 1997 to October 1997, Minister for Education from November 1994 to December 1994, Minister for the Environment from 1992 to 1994, Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce from 1989 to 1992, Minister of State at the Department of Energy from 1987 to 1989, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry in March 1987 and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture from 1980 to 1981. 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 | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 8 October 1997 – 29 September 2004 | |
| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | David Andrews |
| Succeeded by | Willie O'Dea |
| Minister of State for Science and Technology | |
| In office 8 July 1997 – 9 October 1997 | |
| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Noel Treacy |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 18 November 1994 – 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 of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce | |
| In office 19 July 1989 – 11 February 1992 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Liam Aylward |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister for Energy | |
| In office 24 November 1988 – 12 July 1989 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Ray Burke |
| Succeeded by | Bobby Molloy |
| Minister of State at the Department of Energy | |
| In office 31 March 1987 – 12 July 1989 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry | |
| In office 12 March 1987 – 31 March 1987 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Denis Lyons |
| Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture | |
| In office 17 December 1980 – 30 June 1981 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Thomas Hussey |
| Succeeded by | Ted Nealon |
| 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 12 February 1983 – 30 February 1987 | |
| Constituency | Cultural and Educational Panel |
| In office 21 May 1982 – 1 December 1982 | |
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 November 1940 Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Smith (m. 1970) |
| Children | 7 |
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 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
1980s
In 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 became Minister of State at the Department of Energy. He was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Energy in 1988. 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. He replaced David Andrews as Minister for Defence in October 1997, 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
- "Michael Smith". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- "Michael Smith". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 26 July 2010.