Michael Smith (Irish politician)
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- This article is about Michael Smith the Irish politician. For other people of the same name, see: Michael Smith.
Micheal Smith (born November 1940) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for Tipperary North since 1969. He has previously served in Seanad Éireann (1982-1987), as Minister for Energy (1988-1989), Minister for the Environment (1992-1994), Minister for Education (1994) and Minister for Defence (1997-2004).
Michael Smith was born in Roscrea, County Tipperary and was educated by the Christian Brothers at CBS Templemore in County Tipperary. Smith worked as a farmer before he entered Dáil Éireann in 1969 as a Fianna Fáil TD. However he lost his seat following the 1973 General Election. Smith was re-elected to Dáil Éireann in 1977. In 1980 Charles Haughey was Taoiseach and Smith was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture. Smith lost his Dáil seat again in 1982. He spent the five years until his re-election again in 1987 as a Senator in Seanad Éireann.
When he returned to the Lower House of the Oireachtas in 1987 he became Minister of State at the Department of Energy. In 1988 he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Energy. His stay as Minister was short because following the 1989 General Election he was demoted to Minister of State for Science & Technology. In 1992 he returned to Cabinet for two years as Minister for the Environment. In October 1997 he replaced David Andrews as Minister for Defence and held that position until he was dropped from the Cabinet in a reshuffle in 2004.
Cabinet positions
| Preceded by: Ray Burke | Minister for Energy 1988–1989 | Succeeded by: Bobby Molloy |
| Preceded by: Rory O'Hanlon | Minister for the Environment 1992–1994 | Succeeded by: Brendan Howlin |
| Preceded by: Niamh Bhreathnach | Minister for Education 1994 | Succeeded by: Niamh Bhreathnach |
| Preceded by: David Andrews | Minister for Defence 1997–2004 | Succeeded by: Willie O'Dea |