Michael Smith (Irish politician)

For other people named Michael Smith, see Michael Smith (disambiguation).

Michael Smith
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 February 1983 – February 1987
Constituency	Cultural and Educational Panel
In office May 1982 – December 1982
Constituency	Agricultural Panel
Personal details
Born	(1940-11-08) 8 November 1940 Roscrea, County Tipperary
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Fianna Fáil

Michael Smith (born 8 November 1940) 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).

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 he entered Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Tipperary North constituency.

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 Charles Haughey 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 and Technology.

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 Defence 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

Oireachtas
Preceded by Patrick Tierney (Labour Party)	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Tipperary North 1969–1973	Succeeded by John Ryan (Labour Party)
Preceded by Thomas Dunne (Fine Gael)	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Tipperary North 1977–1982	Succeeded by David Molony (Fine Gael)
Preceded by John Ryan (Labour Party)	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Tipperary North 1987–2007	Succeeded by Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)
Political offices
Preceded by Thomas Hussey	Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture 1980–1981	Succeeded by Position abolished
Preceded by Michael D'Arcy	Minister of State for Forestry 1987	Succeeded by Denis Lyons
Preceded by New position	Minister of State for Science and Technology 1987–1988	Succeeded by Liam Aylward
Preceded by Ray Burke	Minister for Energy 1988–1989	Succeeded by Bobby Molloy
Preceded by Liam Aylward	Minister of State for Science and Technology 1989–1991	Succeeded by Position abolished
Preceded by Rory O'Hanlon	Minister for the Environment 1992–1994	Succeeded by Brendan Howlin
Preceded by Niamh Bhreathnach	Minister for Education 1994	Succeeded by Niamh Bhreathnach
Preceded by New position	Minister of State for Science and Technology 1997	Succeeded by Noel Treacy
Preceded by David Andrews	Minister for Defence 1997–2004	Succeeded by Willie O'Dea