Patrick Smith (politician)
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Patrick Smith, frequently called Paddy Smith, (17 July 1901 – 18 March 1982) was a senior Irish politician. He served in a number of government positions under Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving member of Dáil Éireann, having been a member for almost 54 years.
Born in Cootehill, County Cavan, Paddy Smith was involved in the 1916 Easter Rising and later in the Old IRA, during the War of Independence. An opponent of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922, Smith was first elected to the Dáil in the 1923 general election at age 22 as a Republican Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cavan constituency. He was also a founder-member of the Fianna Fáil political party in 1926. During his time as TD he served in the Cabinets of Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass. He resigned from the government as Minister for Agriculture in 1964 in protest at the government's response to certain farming issues. Smith retired from politics at the 1977 general election at the age of 76.
[edit] References
- This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database
- This article is partially based on the article with the same name on http://www.irelandinformationguide.com, licensed under GFDL.
Oireachtas | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Newly redrawn constituency |
Sinn Féin Teachta Dála for Cavan 1923-1927 |
Succeeded by Smith left Sinn Féin and joined Fianna Fáil |
Preceded by Smith was previously a member of Sinn Féin |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Cavan 1927-1977 |
Succeeded by Constituency abolished |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Patrick Little |
Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) 1939–1943 |
Succeeded by Eamonn Kissane |
Preceded by Seán Moylan |
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance 1943–1947 |
Succeeded by Seán O'Grady |
Preceded by James Ryan |
Minister for Agriculture 1947–1948 |
Succeeded by James Dillon |
Preceded by Michael Keyes |
Minister for Local Government 1951–1954 |
Succeeded by Patrick O'Donnell |
Preceded by Patrick O'Donnell |
Minister for Local Government 1957 |
Succeeded by Neil Blaney |
Preceded by Frank Aiken |
Minister for Agriculture 1957–1964 |
Succeeded by Charles Haughey |
Father of the Dáil 1973–1977 |
Succeeded by Liam Cosgrave |