Michael J. Noonan (Fianna Fáil)
Encyclopedia
Michael J. Noonan is a former Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He served as Minister for Defence from 1987 until 1989.
Michael J. Noonan was born in Bruff
, County Limerick
in 1935. He was educated locally at Salesian College in Limerick, before graduating from University College Cork with a Diploma in Rural Science. Following his education Noonan worked as a farmer before becoming involved in politics. He first entered local politics when he was elected to Limerick County Council
in 1967 and remained a member of this council until 1991. Noonan was elected to Dáil Éireann
on his first attempt in the 1969 general election
as a Fianna Fáil TD for the constituency of Limerick West.
Noonan was a supporter of Charles Haughey
in the Fianna Fáil leadership election
in 1979. He was rewarded by Haughey by joining the party's front bench in 1983 as spokesperson on Agriculture. Noonan was appointed Minister for Defence
in 1987. He caused some controversy in this role and got into conflict with the Irish Army
over the issue of pay. After the 1989 general election
when Fianna Fáil went into coalition with the Progressive Democrats
, Noonan was the major casualty to accommodate the new Ministers. He was appointed a Minister of State
and remained in this office until 1992. When Albert Reynolds
became Taoiseach
, Noonan was sacked.
Noonan subsequently retired to the backbenches. He remained a controversial figure by voting against the Divorce Referendum in the Dáil and lost the Fianna Fáil party whip as a result. He retired from political life in 1997
.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He served as Minister for Defence from 1987 until 1989.
Michael J. Noonan was born in Bruff
Bruff
Bruff is a town in east County Limerick, in the midwest of Ireland, located on the old Limerick–Cork road . The town lies on the Morning Star river, with two bridges in the town itself...
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
in 1935. He was educated locally at Salesian College in Limerick, before graduating from University College Cork with a Diploma in Rural Science. Following his education Noonan worked as a farmer before becoming involved in politics. He first entered local politics when he was elected to Limerick County Council
Limerick County Council
Limerick County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Limerick in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of...
in 1967 and remained a member of this council until 1991. Noonan was elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
on his first attempt in the 1969 general election
Irish general election, 1969
The Irish general election of 1969 was held on 18 June 1969. The newly elected members of the 19th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 2 July when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed...
as a Fianna Fáil TD for the constituency of Limerick West.
Noonan was a supporter of Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
in the Fianna Fáil leadership election
Fianna Fáil leadership election, 1979
The 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in December 1979, when Jack Lynch resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. Lynch had been party leader for thirteen years and Taoiseach for over nine years. His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 7 December...
in 1979. He was rewarded by Haughey by joining the party's front bench in 1983 as spokesperson on Agriculture. Noonan was appointed Minister for Defence
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
in 1987. He caused some controversy in this role and got into conflict with the Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
over the issue of pay. After the 1989 general election
Irish general election, 1989
The Irish general election of 1989 was held on Thursday, 15 June 1989, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 25 May. The newly elected 166 members of the 26th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 29 June...
when Fianna Fáil went into coalition with the Progressive Democrats
Progressive Democrats
The Progressive Democrats , commonly known as the PDs, was a pro-free market liberal political party in the Republic of Ireland.Launched on 21 December 1985 by Desmond O'Malley and other politicians who had split from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the Progressive Democrats took liberal positions on...
, Noonan was the major casualty to accommodate the new Ministers. He was appointed a Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
and remained in this office until 1992. When Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
became Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
, Noonan was sacked.
Noonan subsequently retired to the backbenches. He remained a controversial figure by voting against the Divorce Referendum in the Dáil and lost the Fianna Fáil party whip as a result. He retired from political life in 1997
Irish general election, 1997
The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, 6 June 1997. The 166 newly elected members of the 28th Dáil assembled on 26 June 1997 when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
.