Séamus Kirk
Séamus Kirk (born 26 April 1945) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 2009 to 2011 and Minister of State for Horticulture from 1987 to 1992. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Louth constituency from 1982 to 2016.[1]
Séamus Kirk | |
|---|---|
| Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann | |
| In office 13 October 2009 – 9 March 2011 | |
| Deputy | Brendan Howlin |
| Preceded by | John O'Donoghue |
| Succeeded by | Seán Barrett |
| Minister of State for Horticulture | |
| In office 10 March 1987 – 11 February 1992 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | John Browne |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office November 1982 – February 2016 | |
| Constituency | Louth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 April 1945 Drumkeith, County Louth, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse(s) | Mary McGeough |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | NUI Galway |
Background
Kirk was born in Drumkeith, County Louth. 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 GAA Team.
Political career
He was a member of Louth County Council 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.[2]
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 East constituency. His running mate Liam Aylward took a seat for Fianna Fáil.
On 13 October 2009, Kirk succeeded John O'Donoghue as Ceann Comhairle[3] after O'Donoghue resigned over an expenses scandal. 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.[4]
In September 2014, he announced he would not be contesting the 2016 general election.[5]
References
- "Séamus Kirk". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- "Séamus Kirk". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- "Kirk elected Ceann Comhairle". The Irish Times. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
- "Kirk succeeds O'Donoghue as Ceann Comhairle". RTÉ News. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
- "Louth TD Kirk will not contest next general election". Irish Examiner. 17 September 2014.
External links
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Bellew (Fianna Fáil) |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Louth November 1982–2016 |
Succeeded by Declan Breathnach (Fianna Fáil) |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Patrick Hegarty |
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food 1987–1992 |
Succeeded by Liam Hyland |
| Preceded by John O'Donoghue |
Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by Seán Barrett |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Rory O'Hanlon |
Chairman of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party 2002–2009 |
Succeeded by John Browne |