Séamus Kirk
Encyclopedia
Séamus Kirk is an Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He is a former Ceann Comhairle
(chairman) of Dáil Éireann
, serving from October 2009 to March 2011. He has been a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Louth constituency
since 1982.
. He is married to Mary McGeough. They have three sons and one daughter and live in Knockbridge
, County Louth. He was educated at CBS Dundalk
He was a farmer and agricultural adviser before entering politics. He is a former player on the Louth County Team.
from 1974 to 1985, and he was first elected to the Dáil Éireann at the November 1982 general election as a member of the 24th Dáil. He has been returned in each subsequent election.
Kirk was Minister of State
at the Department of Agriculture and Food from 1987 to 1992. Later, he was the chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party from 2002 until October 2009. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for election to the European Parliament
in 2004 in the Leinster constituency. His running mate Liam Aylward
took a seat for Fianna Fáil.
On 13 October 2009, Kirk succeeded John O'Donoghue
as Ceann Comhairle
after O'Donoghue resigned over an expenses controversy
. He was nominated for that post by Taoiseach Brian Cowen
and seconded by Tanáiste Mary Coughlan, and he defeated Fine Gael's Dinny McGinley
by 87 votes to 51 votes. McGinley had been nominated by his party's leader, Enda Kenny
.
He is currently the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Horticulture and Rural Affairs.
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 is a former Ceann Comhairle
Ceann Comhairle
The Ceann Comhairle is the chairman of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. The person who holds the position is elected by members of the Dáil from among their number in the first session after each general election...
(chairman) of 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...
, serving from October 2009 to March 2011. He has been 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 the Louth constituency
Louth (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Louth is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
since 1982.
Background
Kirk was born in Drumkeith, County LouthCounty Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He is married to Mary McGeough. They have three sons and one daughter and live in Knockbridge
Knockbridge
Knockbridge is a small village within the townland of Ballinlough in County Louth, Ireland.-Facilities:The village is centred on a crossroads, where there is a pub and a shop...
, County Louth. He was educated at CBS Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
He was a farmer and agricultural adviser before entering politics. He is a former player on the Louth County Team.
Political career
He was a member of Louth County CouncilLouth County Council
Louth County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Louth 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 Cathaoirleach...
from 1974 to 1985, and he was first elected to the Dáil Éireann at the November 1982 general election as a member of the 24th Dáil. He has been returned in each subsequent election.
Kirk was 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 and Food from 1987 to 1992. Later, he was the chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party from 2002 until October 2009. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for election to the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
in 2004 in the Leinster constituency. His running mate Liam Aylward
Liam Aylward
Liam Aylward is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Member of the European Parliament for the East constituency. He was a Teachta Dála for Carlow–Kilkenny from 1977–2007....
took a seat for Fianna Fáil.
On 13 October 2009, Kirk succeeded John O'Donoghue
John O'Donoghue (politician)
John O'Donoghue is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Kerry South constituency from 1987 to 2011. He is a former Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas. He resigned as Ceann Comhairle on 13 October 2009 due to controversy about his...
as Ceann Comhairle
Ceann Comhairle
The Ceann Comhairle is the chairman of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. The person who holds the position is elected by members of the Dáil from among their number in the first session after each general election...
after O'Donoghue resigned over an expenses controversy
John O'Donoghue expenses controversy
The John O'Donoghue expenses controversy refers to a 2009 political controversy in Ireland surrounding former Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue. He was pursued by various allegations over his expenses claims in Ireland's Sunday newspapers over several months. He spent €250,000 in his time as Ceann...
. He was nominated for that post by Taoiseach Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
and seconded by Tanáiste Mary Coughlan, and he defeated Fine Gael's Dinny McGinley
Dinny McGinley
Denis "Dinny" McGinley is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Donegal South West constituency since February 1982. He was appointed Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 10 March 2011.-Background:McGinley was born and brought up in...
by 87 votes to 51 votes. McGinley had been nominated by his party's leader, Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
.
He is currently the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Horticulture and Rural Affairs.