Michael Hilliard

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Michael Hilliard (11 March 1903–1 January 1982) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician.

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1943 general election, as a TD for Meath-Westmeath. During his career he served in the governments of Seán F. Lemass and Jack Lynch. During his tenure as Minister for Posts & Telegraphs Hilliard oversaw the introduction of a television service in Ireland, Radio Telefís Éireann.

He retained his Dáil seat at eight further general elections, switching to the new Meath constituency after constituencies were revised for the 1948 general election. However, at the 1973 general election, he lost his seat to his party colleague Brendan Crinion. He did not contest any further Dáil elections.

While a TD in 1973, Hilliard was appointed a Member of the European Parliament as part of Ireland's short-lived first delegation.

His son Colm Hilliard was Fianna Fáil TD for Meath from 1982–1997.

[edit] Political career

Political offices
Preceded by Gerald Bartley	Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce 1958–1959	Succeeded by Office abolished
Preceded by John Ormonde	Minister for Posts & Telegraphs 1959–1965	Succeeded by Joseph Brennan
Preceded by Gerald Bartley	Minister for Defence 1965–1969	Succeeded by Jim Gibbons