Tom Kitt (politician)

Tom Kitt (born 11 July 1952) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South constituency from 1987 to 2011.[1] He also served as Government Chief Whip from 2004 to 2008.

Tom Kitt
Kitt in 2012
Government Chief Whip
In office
29 September 2004  6 May 2008
TaoiseachBertie Ahern
Preceded byMary Hanafin
Succeeded byPat Carey
Minister of State at the Department of Defence
In office
29 September 2004  6 May 2008
TaoiseachBertie Ahern
Preceded byMary Hanafin
Succeeded byPat Carey
Minister of State for Overseas Development and Human Rights
In office
19 June 2002  19 September 2004
TaoiseachBertie Ahern
Preceded byLiz O'Donnell
Succeeded byConor Lenihan
In office
14 January 1993  15 December 1994
TaoiseachAlbert Reynolds
Preceded bySeán Calleary
Succeeded byJoan Burton
Government Chief Whip
In office
13 January 1993  14 December 1994
TaoiseachAlbert Reynolds
Preceded byMichael P. Kitt
Succeeded byGay Mitchell
Teachta Dála
In office
February 1987  February 2011
ConstituencyDublin South
Personal details
Born (1952-07-11) 11 July 1952
Galway, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyFianna Fáil
Alma materSt Patrick's College of Education, Dublin

Early and private life

Tom Kitt was born in Galway and educated at St Jarlath's College, Tuam and St Patrick's College of Education, Dublin. Kitt worked as a primary school teacher before becoming involved in local politics as a member of Dublin City Council in 1979.

As well as being involved in politics, Kitt has run several marathons. He completed the Dublin city marathon on five occasions as well as the Berlin Marathon (1991), the Belfast Marathon (1996), the Buckfast marathon (2010) and the 100th Boston Marathon in 1996.

Kitt comes from a family with a strong political background. He is a son of Michael F. Kitt, who was a TD for various Galway constituencies (1948–1951 and 1957–1975), and a brother of Michael P. Kitt, the former TD for Galway East. His sister, Áine Brady is a former TD for Kildare North, and his brother in law Gerry Brady is a former TD for Kildare. Tom Kitt's sons David, Thomas and Robbie are musicians. bu

Political career

He was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1987 general election as a Fianna Fáil TD. He was re-elected at all subsequent elections until his retirement in 2011.[2] In 1992 Kitt was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility for Arts, Culture and Women's Affairs. The following year in 1993 he became Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Under Bertie Ahern he became Fianna Fáil spokesman on Labour Affairs in 1995. In 1997 Fianna Fáil returned to power and Kitt became Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In 2002 he was appointed to the Department of Foreign Affairs as Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights. Following the Cabinet reshuffle in 2004 Kitt became Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, effectively Government Chief Whip.

In May 2008, when Brian Cowen became Taoiseach, he was not re-appointed as government chief whip. He declined the offer of another junior ministry, and announced that his intention to step down from the Dáil at the next general election.[3]

See also

References

  1. "Tom Kitt". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  2. "Tom Kitt". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  3. "FF's Kitt to step down at next election". RTÉ News. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
Oireachtas
Preceded by
Niall Andrews
(Fianna Fáil)
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Dublin South
1987–2011
Succeeded by
Shane Ross
(Independent)
Political offices
Preceded by
Michael P. Kitt
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach
1992–1994
Succeeded by
Gay Mitchell
Preceded by
Seán Calleary
Minister of State for Overseas Development and Human Rights
1993–1994
Preceded by
Eithne FitzGerald
Minister of State for Labour Affairs
1997–2002
Succeeded by
Frank Fahey
Preceded by
Liz O'Donnell
Minister of State for Overseas Development and Human Rights
2002–2004
Succeeded by
Conor Lenihan
Preceded by
Mary Hanafin
Government Chief Whip
2004–2008
Succeeded by
Pat Carey
Minister of State at the Department of Defence
2004–2008
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.