Michael Smith (Irish politician)
Encyclopedia
Michael Smith 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).
, 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.
He lost his seat at the 1973 general election
but was re-elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1977 general election
.
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 & Technology.
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
.
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 was a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for Tipperary North on several occasions since 1969. He previously served in Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
(1982–1987), as Minister for Energy (1988–1989), Minister for the Environment (1992–1994), Minister for Education (1994) and Minister for Defence (1997–2004).
Background and education
Michael Smith was born in RoscreaRoscrea
Roscrea is a small heritage town in North Tipperary, Ireland. The town has a population of 4,910. Its main industries include meat processing and pharmaceuticals. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Ikerrin...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
in 1940. He was educated at CBS Templemore in County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
. Smith worked as a farmer before he entered Dáil Éireann at 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.
He lost his seat at the 1973 general election
Irish general election, 1973
The Irish general election of 1973 was held on 28 February 1973. The newly elected 144 members of the 20th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 4 March when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
but was re-elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1977 general election
Irish general election, 1977
The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in twentieth century Irish politics. The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. The number of...
.
1980s political career
In 1980 Charles HaugheyCharles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
was 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...
and Smith was appointed 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....
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
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
, 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
Irish general election, 1987
The Irish general election of 1987 was held on 17 February 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 20 January. The newly-elected 166 members of the 25th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 10 March when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took place in...
.
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
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...
he was demoted to Minister of State for Science & Technology.
Political career 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 DefenceMinister 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....
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
Noel Coonan
Noel Coonan is an Irish Fine Gael politician and is currently a Teachta Dála for the Tipperary North constituency.He was elected at the 2007 general election to Dáil Éireann for Tipperary North...
of Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
.