Séamus Kirk

Séamus Kirk
Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann
In office
13 October 2009 – 9 March 2011
DeputyBrendan Howlin
Preceded byJohn O'Donoghue
Succeeded bySeán Barrett
Minister of State
1987–1992Agriculture and Food
Teachta Dála
In office
November 1982 – February 2016
ConstituencyLouth
Personal details
Born (1945-04-26) 26 April 1945 (age 79)
Drumkeith, County Louth, Ireland
Political partyFianna Fáil
SpouseMary McGeough
Children4
Alma materUniversity 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.[2]

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.[3]

Kirk was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food from 1987 to 1992.[4] 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[5] 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.[6]

In September 2014, he announced he would not be contesting the 2016 general election.[7]

Sporting Achievements

References

  1. ^ "Séamus Kirk". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  2. ^ "Seamus Kirk interview (Part One): Horrendous injury ended his Louth career, sparking a political dynasty". Dundalk Democrat. 12 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Séamus Kirk". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  4. ^ Agriculture and Food (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1987 (S.I. No. 164 of 1987). Signed on 26 June 1987. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 1 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Kirk elected Ceann Comhairle". The Irish Times. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  6. ^ "Kirk succeeds O'Donoghue as Ceann Comhairle". RTÉ News. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  7. ^ "Louth TD Kirk will not contest next general election". Irish Examiner. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food
1987–1992
With: Joe Walsh 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann
2009–2011 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party
2002–2009 		Succeeded by