Séamus Kirk
Séamus Kirk | |
---|---|
Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann | |
Assumed office 13 October 2009 | |
Preceded by | John O'Donoghue |
Teachta Dála | |
Assumed office November 1982 | |
Constituency | Louth |
Personal details | |
Born | 26 April 1945 |
Nationality | Irish |
Political party | Fianna Fail |
Spouse | Mary McGeough |
Children | 4 |
Website | Official website |
Séamus Kirk (born 26 April 1945) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is the current Ceann Comhairle (chairman) of Dáil Éireann, taking office in October 2009. He is also a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Louth constituency since 1982.[1]
Kirk was born in Drumkeith, County Louth. He is married to Mary McGeough, they have three sons and one daughter. He was a farmer before entering politics.
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, most recently at the 2007 general 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] 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]
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
- 1945 births
- Living people
- Fianna Fáil politicians
- Teachtaí Dála
- Members of the 24th Dáil
- Members of the 25th Dáil
- Members of the 26th Dáil
- Members of the 27th Dáil
- Members of the 28th Dáil
- Members of the 29th Dáil
- Members of the 30th Dáil
- People from County Louth
- Irish farmers
- Speakers of Dáil Éireann
- Fianna Fáil politician stubs