Michael Smith (Irish politician)

Michael Smith (born 8 November 1940) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Defence from 1997 to 2004, Minister of State for Science and Technology from July 1997 to October 1997, Minister for Education from November 1994 to December 1994, Minister for the Environment from 1992 to 1994, Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce from 1989 to 1992, Minister of State at the Department of Energy from 1987 to 1989, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry in March 1987 and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture from 1980 to 1981. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Tipperary North constituency from 1969 to 1973, 1977 to 1981 and 1987 to 2002. He also served as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 1983 to 1987 and for the Agricultural Panel from May 1982 to December 1982.[1]

Michael Smith
Minister for Defence
In office 8 October 1997 – 29 September 2004
Taoiseach	Bertie Ahern
Preceded by	David Andrews
Succeeded by	Willie O'Dea
Minister of State for Science and Technology
In office 8 July 1997 – 9 October 1997
Taoiseach	Bertie Ahern
Preceded by	New office
Succeeded by	Noel Treacy
Minister for Education
In office 18 November 1994 – 15 December 1994
Taoiseach	Albert Reynolds
Preceded by	Séamus Brennan
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 of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce
In office 19 July 1989 – 11 February 1992
Taoiseach	Charles Haughey
Preceded by	Liam Aylward
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Minister for Energy
In office 24 November 1988 – 12 July 1989
Taoiseach	Charles Haughey
Preceded by	Ray Burke
Succeeded by	Bobby Molloy
Minister of State at the Department of Energy
In office 31 March 1987 – 12 July 1989
Taoiseach	Charles Haughey
Preceded by	New office
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry
In office 12 March 1987 – 31 March 1987
Taoiseach	Charles Haughey
Preceded by	New office
Succeeded by	Denis Lyons
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture
In office 17 December 1980 – 30 June 1981
Taoiseach	Charles Haughey
Preceded by	Thomas Hussey
Succeeded by	Ted Nealon
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 12 February 1983 – 30 February 1987
Constituency	Cultural and Educational Panel
In office 21 May 1982 – 1 December 1982
Constituency	Agricultural Panel
Personal details
Born	(1940-11-08) 8 November 1940 Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Fianna Fáil
Spouse(s)	Mary Smith (m. 1970)
Children	7

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 entering Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Tipperary North constituency.[2]

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, the Taoiseach Charles Haughey appointed him 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 by the Agricultural Panel and then by the Cultural and Educational Panel, before his re-election to the Dáil at the 1987 general election.

When Smith was returned to the Dáil in 1987, he became Minister of State at the Department of Energy. He was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Energy in 1988. 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. He replaced David Andrews as Minister for Defence in October 1997, 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

1. "Michael Smith". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
2. "Michael Smith". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 26 July 2010.

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