Michael Yeats

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William Michael Yeats (22 August 1921 - 3 January 2007) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.

He unsuccessfully stood for election to the Dáil in the 1948 general election and the 1951 general election for Dublin South East.

Following the 1951 election, Yeats was nominated to the 7th Seanad by Taoiseach Éamon de Valera. He stood in the subsequent election in 1954 for the 8th Seanad but was not elected.

From 1961 to 1981, he was a member of all Seanads from the 10th Seanad when he was elected on the Labour Panel to the 14th Seanad when he was nominated by Taoiseach Jack Lynch. In 1965 he was nominated by the Taoiseach Sean Lemass to the 11th Seanad. In 1969 he was elected to the 12th Seanad as a member of the Cultural and Educational Panel, and reelected to the 13th Seanad in 1973.

From 1969 to 1973, during the 12th Seanad, he served as Cathaoirleach.

While a Senator, Yeats served as a Member of the European Parliament from 1973 to 1979, being appointed to Ireland's first delegation, second delegation and third delegation.

His father, the author William Butler Yeats, also served as a member of the Seanad. His sister Anne Yeats was a painter and designer, as was his uncle Jack Butler Yeats.

He was married to Gráinne, and had children Pádraig, and daughters Caitríona, Síle Yeats (a broadcaster with RTE) and Siobhán, all of whom survived him.