Michael Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 1990 | |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 8 October 1997 – 29 September 2004 | |
| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | David Andrews |
| Succeeded by | Willie O'Dea |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 18 November – 15 December 1994 | |
| Taoiseach | Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Niamh Bhreathnach |
| Succeeded by | Niamh Bhreathnach |
| Minister for the Environment | |
| In office 14 February 1992 – 14 December 1994 | |
| Taoiseach | Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Rory O'Hanlon |
| Succeeded by | Brendan Howlin |
| Minister for Energy | |
| In office 24 November 1988 – 12 July 1989 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Minister of State | |
| July–Oct. 1997 | Education and Science |
| July–Oct. 1997 | Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
| 1989–1991 | Industry and Commerce |
| 1987–1988 | Energy |
| March 1987 | Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry |
| 1980–1981 | Agriculture |
| 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 23 February 1983 – 17 February 1987 | |
| Constituency | Cultural and Educational Panel |
| In office 13 May 1982 – 23 February 1983 | |
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1940-11-08)8 November 1940 (age 85) Roscrea,County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | CBS Templemore |
Michael Smith (born 8 November 1940) is an Irish formerFianna Fáil politician who served asMinister for Defence from 1997 to 2004,Minister for Education from November 1994 to December 1994,Minister for the Environment from 1992 to 1994 and aMinister of State in various governments. He served as aTeachta Dála (TD) for theTipperary North constituency from 1969 to 1973, 1977 to 1981 and 1987 to 2002. He also served as aSenator for theCultural and Educational Panel from 1983 to 1987 and for theAgricultural Panel from May 1982 to December 1982.[1]
Smith was born inRoscrea,County Tipperary in 1940. He was educated atCBS Templemore inCounty Tipperary. Smith worked as a farmer before enteringDáil Éireann at the1969 general election as aFianna Fáil TD for the Tipperary North constituency.[2]
He lost his seat at the1973 general election but was re-elected to Dáil Éireann at the1977 general election.
In 1980, theTaoiseachCharles Haughey appointed himMinister of State at the Department of Agriculture. Smith lost his Dáil seat again at theFebruary 1982 general election, and failed to regain it at theNovember 1982 general election. He spent the next five years as a Senator inSeanad Éireann, elected first by theAgricultural Panel and then by theCultural and Educational Panel, before his re-election to the Dáil at the1987 general election.
When Smith was returned to the Dáil in 1987, he was appointedMinister of State at the Department of Energy. He was appointed to cabinet as theMinister for Energy in 1988. His stay in cabinet was brief; following the1989 general election he was demoted toMinister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce.
In February 1992, he returned to cabinet for two years asMinister for the Environment.[3][4] He held office until Fianna Fáil left government in December 1994.
After the 1997 election, Fianna Fáil returned to government and Smith was appointed asMinister of State at the Department of Education and Science.[5] In October 1997, he replacedDavid Andrews asMinister for Defence, and held that position until he was dropped from the cabinet in a reshuffle in 2004.[6][7] During his tenure Smith dealt with theArmy deafness compensation issue that ultimately resulted in claims of €300 million against the State.
At the2007 general election he lost his seat toNoel Coonan ofFine Gael.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture 1980–1981 | Vacant |
| New office | Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry March 1987 | Vacant |
| New office | Minister of State at the Department of Energy 1987–1988 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Energy 1988–1989 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce 1989–1991 | Vacant |
| Preceded by | Minister for the Environment 1992–1994 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Education 1994 | Succeeded by |
| New office | Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science Jul.–Oct 1997 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Defence 1997–2004 | Succeeded by |