Séamus Kirk
| Séamus Kirk TD | |
|---|---|
| Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann | |
| In office 13 October 2009 – 9 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | John O'Donoghue |
| Succeeded by | Seán Barrett |
| Minister of State for Horticulture | |
| In office 10 March 1987 – 11 February 1992 | |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | John Browne |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office November 1982 | |
| Constituency | Louth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 April 1945 County Louth, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse(s) | Mary McGeough |
| Children | 4 |
| Website | www.seamuskirk.ie |
Séamus Kirk (born 26 April 1945) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is a former Ceann Comhairle (chairman) of Dáil Éireann, serving from October 2009 to March 2011. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Louth constituency since 1982.[1]
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 Leinster 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 controversy. 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]
He is the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Horticulture and Rural Affairs.
References
- ↑ "Mr. 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. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
External links
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Bellew (Fianna Fáil) |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Louth November 1982–present |
Incumbent |
| 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 |