Séamus Kirk Explained

Office:Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann
Deputy:Brendan Howlin
Term Start:13 October 2009
Term End:9 March 2011
Predecessor:John O'Donoghue
Successor:Seán Barrett
Office1:Minister of State
Suboffice1:Agriculture and Food
Subterm1:1987–1992
Office2:Teachta Dála
Term Start2:November 1982
Term End2:February 2016
Constituency2:Louth
Birth Date:26 April 1945
Birth Place:Drumkeith, County Louth, Ireland
Nationality:Irish
Party:Fianna Fáil
Spouse:Mary McGeough
Children:4
Alma Mater:University College Galway

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 a Minister of State from 1987 to 1992. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Louth constituency from 1982 to 2016.[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 footballer who played for the Louth county 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 was returned in each subsequent election until his retirement.[2]

Kirk was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food from 1987 to 1992.[3] He served as chair of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party from 2002 until October 2009. At the 2004 European Parliament election, he was an unsuccessful candidate 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[4] 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.[5]

In September 2014, he announced he would not be contesting the 2016 general election.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Séamus Kirk . Oireachtas Members Database . 24 September 2009 . 7 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010112/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Seamus-Kirk.D.1982-12-14 . live .
  2. Web site: Séamus Kirk . ElectionsIreland.org . 24 September 2009 . 2 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180802011347/https://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=3551 . live .
  3. 1987 . si . 164 . Agriculture and Food (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1987 . 26 June 1987 . 1 October 2022.
  4. News: Kirk elected Ceann Comhairle . . 13 October 2009 . 13 October 2009 . 9 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191209193051/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1013/breaking67.htm . live .
  5. Web site: Kirk succeeds O'Donoghue as Ceann Comhairle . . 13 October 2009 . 13 October 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091016003654/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1013/politics.html . 16 October 2009.
  6. News: Louth TD Kirk will not contest next general election. Irish Examiner. 17 September 2014. 13 August 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062211/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/louth-td-kirk-will-not-contest-next-general-election-642326.html. live.