Brendan Smith (politician)
| Brendan Smith | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Justice and Law Reform | |
| In office 20 January 2011 – 9 March 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Dermot Ahern |
| Succeeded by | Alan Shatter (Justice and Equality) |
| Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | |
| In office 7 May 2008 – 9 March 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Mary Coughlan |
| Succeeded by | Simon Coveney (Agriculture, Food and the Marine) |
| Minister of State for Children | |
| In office 20 June 2007 – 7 May 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Brian Lenihan |
| Succeeded by | Barry Andrews |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office November 1992 |
|
| Constituency | Cavan–Monaghan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 June 1956 Cavan, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse(s) | Anne McGarry |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
| Website | www.brendansmith.ie |
Brendan Smith (born 1 June 1956) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency since 1992.[1] He previously served as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2008–11) and Minister for Justice and Law Reform (2011).
Born in Cavan in 1956, Smith was educated at Bawnboy national school, St. Camillus College (Killucan, County Westmeath), and University College Dublin where he gained a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Economics. For 15 years he worked as special advisor to the Fianna Fáil politician and former Tánaiste, John Wilson.
Smith was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1992 general election for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency and has been re-elected at every subsequent election.[2] In the 28th Dáil he was Government Whip on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. In Bertie Ahern's 2004 cabinet reshuffle, Smith received the position as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food with special responsibility for Food and Horticulture.
Following the 2007 general election Smith became Minister for Children at the Department of Health and Children. On 7 May 2008, he was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Brian Cowen's cabinet. As Minister for Agriculture his most notable moment was his 2010 offer of free cheese to Ireland's poor via an European Union scheme that had been around since the 1980s.[3] The public received Smith's announcement poorly and it was reported outside Ireland as the country became "a laughing stock internationally".[4][5][6] Smith was then forced to defend his own scheme.[7]
Following the resignation of Dermot Ahern in January 2011, Smith was also appointed as Minister for Justice and Law Reform.[8]
Just before leaving office, Smith gave the go-ahead for GMO foods to enter Ireland. He told media that Ireland had “altered its voting position” and will back proposals from the European Commission “aimed at authorising the placing on the market of food, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified maize and cotton”. Smith also said that Ireland would now tolerate “the low-level presence of, as yet, unauthorised GMO varieties in imports of animal food”.[9]
He is currently the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Education and Skills.
[edit] References
- ^ "Mr. Brendan Smith". Oireachtas Members Database. http://oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=27&MemberID=1044&ConstID=25. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- ^ "Brendan Smith". ElectionsIreland.org. http://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=3896. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- ^ "Government to let them eat cheese". The Irish Times. 5 November 2010. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1105/breaking22.html?via=mr.
- ^ Swords, Warren (7 November 2010). "It's not just hard cheese, it's old cheese". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1327429/Irish-Government-laughing-stock-cheddar-cheese-need-scheme.html?ito=feeds-newsxml.
- ^ Smith, Lewis (6 November 2010). "Irish to get free 'Christmas cheese'". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/irish-to-get-free-christmas-cheese-2126721.html.
- ^ "Like a movie scene - Irish government declares "Let them eat cheese!"". Irish Central. 5 November 2010. http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/the_american_in_ireland/like-a-movie-scene---irish-government-declares-let-them-eat-cheese-106763568.html.
- ^ "Minister defends cheese-for-Christmas scheme". Irish Examiner. 5 November 2010. http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/minister-defends-cheese-for-christmas-scheme-480595.html.
- ^ "Election date set for 11 March". RTÉ News. 20 January 2011. http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0120/politics.html. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "Brendan Smith give's go ahead for GM Foods in Ireland". TheJournal.ie. 8 February 2011. http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-to-bring-gm-crops-onto-home-market-2011-2. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
[edit] External links
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Wilson (Fianna Fáil) |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Cavan–Monaghan 1992–present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Noel Treacy |
Minister of State for Food and Horticulture 2004–2007 |
Succeeded by Trevor Sargent |
| Preceded by Brian Lenihan |
Minister of State for Children 2007–2008 |
Succeeded by Barry Andrews |
| Preceded by Mary Coughlan |
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 2008–2011 |
Succeeded by Simon Coveney as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
| Preceded by Dermot Ahern |
Minister for Justice and Law Reform 2011 |
Succeeded by Alan Shatter as Minister for Justice and Equality |
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