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]
[edit] 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 ia a former player on the Louth County Team.
[edit] 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 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]
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