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Séamus Pattison (born April 19, 1936) is an Irish Labour Party politician and Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. He is also a Teachta Dála (TD) for Carlow-Kilkenny.
Pattison was the son of James Pattison, an Irish Labour Party TD for almost twenty-five years. After his education the young Pattison became a full time trade union official, serving with the Irish Transport & General Workers Union (ITGWU). In 1960 Pattison fought a by-election in the Carlow Kilkenny constituency. He was unsuccessful but was elected the following year in the General Election. He has represented that constituency without break since then. Pattison served as Mayor of Kilkenny on three occasions, 1967, 1976 and 1992. In 1981 he became MEP for Leinster but resigned his seat in 1983 when he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare. He was unanimously elected Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann on June 26, 1997, serving for the entire 28th Dáil. Since 2002 he has acted as Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy-Chairman) of Dáil Éireann.
Pattison is the longest serving member of Dáil Éireann and is now the 'Father of the House.'
Political Career
| Preceded by: Seán Treacy | Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann 1997-2002 | Succeeded by: Rory O'Hanlon |