Michael P. Kitt | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kitt in 2015 | |
| Leas-Cheann Comhairle ofDáil Éireann | |
| In office 31 March 2011 – 3 February 2016 | |
| Ceann Comhairle | Seán Barrett |
| Preceded by | Brendan Howlin |
| Succeeded by | Pat "the Cope" Gallagher |
| Minister of State | |
| 2008–2009 | Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
| 2007–2008 | Foreign Affairs |
| 1991–1992 | Taoiseach |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 2007 – February 2016 | |
| In office June 1981 – May 2002 | |
| Constituency | Galway East |
| In office March 1975 – June 1977 | |
| Constituency | Galway North-East |
| Senator | |
| In office 12 September 2002 – 24 May 2007 | |
| Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
| In office 27 October 1977 – 11 June 1981 | |
| Constituency | Administrative Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1950-05-17)17 May 1950 (age 75) Tuam,County Galway, Ireland |
| Party | Fianna Fáil |
| Parent |
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| Relatives |
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| Education | St Jarlath's College |
| Alma mater | |
Michael Paschal Kitt (born 17 May 1950) is an Irish formerFianna Fáil politician who served asLeas-Cheann Comhairle ofDáil Éireann from 2011 to 2016, aMinister of State from 1991 to 1992, and from 2007 to 2009. He served as aTeachta Dála (TD) for theGalway East constituency from 1975 to 1977, 1981 to 2002, and 2007 to 2016. He was aSenator from 2002 to 2007, after beingnominated by the Taoiseach and from 1977 to 1981 for theAdministrative Panel.[1]
Born inTuam,County Galway, Kitt was educatedSt Jarlath's College, Tuam;St Patrick's College of Education,Dublin;University College Dublin andUniversity College Galway. He qualified as a teacher before becoming involved in politics.[citation needed]
In 1975, following the death of his father,Michael F. Kitt, he was elected to succeed his father onGalway County Council. In theGalway North-Eastby-election on 4 March he was elected to the20th Dáil, being returned on the first count with a 7% majority over theFine Gael candidatePaul Connaughton Snr.[2]
Kitt lost his Dáil seat at the1977 general election but was subsequently elected toSeanad Éireann by theAdministrative Panel, serving until 1981 as a member of the14th Seanad. He was re-elected to the Dáil at the1981 general election for the newGalway East and retained his seat until 2002.[2]
During this period he served as aMinister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach for three months from November 1991 to February 1992.[3] He lost his Dáil seat at the2002 general election but was subsequentlynominated by the Taoiseach to serve as a member of the22nd Seanad. He was re-elected to the Dáil at the2007 general election. In June 2007, he was appointed byBertie Ahern asMinister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Overseas Development.[4] In May 2008, whenBrian Cowen succeeded as Taoiseach, he was appointed asMinister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with special responsibility for Local Services.[5][6] He served in this position until April 2009 when he was dropped when Cowen reduced the number of junior ministers from 20 to 15.[7]
On 31 March 2011, he was elected asLeas-Cheann Comhairle ofDáil Éireann, serving for the31st Dáil.[8][9][10]
He did not contest the2016 general election and retired from politics.[11]
Michael Kitt comes from a political family. He is a son ofMichael F. Kitt, who was a TD for various Galway constituencies (1948–1951 and 1957–1975), and a brother ofTom Kitt, a TD forDublin South from 1987 to 2011, and ofÁine Brady, a TD forKildare North from 2007 to 2011. His brother-in-lawGerry Brady also served as TD for Kildare in 1982.[2]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach 1991–1992 With:Dermot Ahern Brendan Daly | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs 2007–2008 With:Dick Roche | Succeeded by Dick Roche Peter Power |
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 2008–2009 With:Michael Finneran Máire Hoctor | Succeeded by Áine Brady Michael Finneran |
| Preceded by | Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann 2011–2016 | Succeeded by |