Séamus Kirk
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|---|---|
| Ceann ComhairleofDáil Éireann | |
| In office 13 October 2009 – 9 March 2011 | |
| Deputy | Brendan Howlin |
| Preceded by | John O'Donoghue |
| Succeeded by | Seán Barrett |
| Minister of State | |
| 1987–1992 | Agriculture and Food |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office November 1982 – February 2016 | |
| Constituency | Louth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1945-04-26) 26 April 1945 (age 79) Drumkeith, County Louth, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | Mary McGeough |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University College Galway |
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Séamus Kirk (born 26 April 1945) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Ceann ComhairleofDáil 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]
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.[citation needed]
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 chairman 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'DonoghueasCeann 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]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food 1987–1992 With: Joe Walsh |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Ceann ComhairleofDáil Éireann 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party 2002–2009 |
Succeeded by |
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Teachtaí Dála (TDs) for the Louth constituency
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