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Seán Barrett (politician)

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Not to be confused with Sean Barrett, economist.

Seán Barrett
Barrett in 2015
Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann
In office
9 March 2011 – 10 March 2016
DeputyMichael P. Kitt
Preceded bySéamus Kirk
Succeeded bySeán Ó Fearghaíl
Minister for Defence
In office
23 May 1995 – 26 June 1997
TaoiseachJohn Bruton
Preceded byHugh Coveney
Succeeded byDavid Andrews
Minister for the Marine
In office
23 May 1995 – 26 June 1997
TaoiseachJohn Bruton
Preceded byHugh Coveney
Succeeded byDavid Andrews
Minister of State
1994–1995Government Chief Whip
1994–1995Defence
1986–1987Education
1982–1986Government Chief Whip
1982–1986Defence
Teachta Dála
In office
May 2007 – February 2020
In office
June 1981 – May 2002
ConstituencyDún Laoghaire
Personal details
Born (1944-08-09) 9 August 1944 (age 80)
Killiney, Dublin, Ireland
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse
Jean Barrett
​
(m. 1976)​
Children4
Education
Alma materUniversity College Dublin

Seán Barrett (born 9 August 1944) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 2011 to 2016, Minister for Defence and Minister for the Marine from 1995 to 1997, Government Chief Whip from 1982 to 1986 and 1994 to 1995. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency from 1981 to 2002 and 2007 to 2020.[1][2]

Early life

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He was educated at CBS Dún Laoghaire, C.B.C. Monkstown and Presentation Brothers College in Glasthule, County Dublin. Before Barrett entered politics he was a partner in a successful Dublin-based insurance brokerage firm (Barrett, Hegarty Moloney, established in 1980).[3] A fan of horse-racing,[4] in 1987, he also established Seán Barrett Bloodstock Insurances Ltd.[3]

Political career

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He first became involved in local politics, serving on Dublin County Council from 1974 until 1982.[5] He was a member of Dublin County Council between 1991 and 1993 and then served as a member of the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council until 1995.[6]

At the 1977 general election, Barrett stood as a Fine Gael candidate in the Dublin County South, but failed to win a seat. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann when he stood in the Dún Laoghaire constituency at the 1981 general election, where he was returned at each subsequent election until his retirement at the 2002 general election. He came out of retirement to successfully contest the 2007 general election.[7]

In December 1982, Garret FitzGerald became Taoiseach for the second time and Barrett was appointed Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence.[8] Between February 1986 and March 1987, he served as Leader of the House with responsibility for Dáil Reform and Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for sport.[9]

John Bruton's Rainbow Coalition came to power in 1994 and Barrett was again appointed as Government Chief Whip, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Minister of State at the Department of Defence.[10] In 1995, Hugh Coveney resigned from the cabinet and Barrett was then appointed Minister for Defence and Minister for the Marine..[11][12] During his tenure Barrett dealt with the army deafness compensation issue that ultimately resulted in claims of approximately £300 million (€381 million) altogether against the State. Barrett's short ministerial career was blighted by critical remarks from Garda and army officers directed towards the Minister. His term as Minister ended when the government lost power at the 1997 general election.[13]

In 1999, he announced that he would not contest the next election, saying "at this stage, I believe it is time to make way for the next generation who must be given the chance to make their own contribution."[4]

Seán Barrett (right) with Bogdan Borusewicz in Warsaw (2014)

When Barrett, Liam T. Cosgrave and Monica Barnes were each first elected in 1981, Fine Gael secured three of the five seats and 48% of the first preference vote in Dún Laoghaire. But this massive vote waned over the following years and when Barrett and Barnes retired at the 2002 general election, Fine Gael failed to win even one seat in Dún Laoghaire.[14]

Return to politics

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In February 2006, Barrett announced that he wanted to come back from retirement, and stand again as a Fine Gael candidate at the next general election. He insisted that he would stand only if selected by the local party members, and would not accept being imposed as a candidate by Fine Gael headquarters.[15]

At a selection meeting in Dalkey in May 2006, Barrett and barrister Eugene Regan were chosen as Fine Gael's two candidates in the Dún Laoghaire constituency.[16] With return of Barrett, the party was confident of winning two of the five seats, but at the general election in May 2007, Barrett was the fourth candidate returned to the 30th Dáil and Regan was not elected.[7]

Barrett did not return immediately to Fine Gael's front bench, but became Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security.[17] He was subsequently promoted back to the front bench as Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs following an attempted heave against Enda Kenny.[18]

He met Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.[19]

Mahon Tribunal

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In evidence to the Mahon Tribunal on 8 June 2006,[20]

A report in The Irish Times in July 2006 said that a representative of Fine Gael had described the Tribunal "as an outrage and a disgrace" for allowing unfounded allegations to be made against Barrett.[21] Fine Gael, through its solicitor, expressed regret to the Tribunal on 25 July for this remark, describing it as 'inappropriate'.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Bruton & Noonan return to Fine Gael frontbench". RTÉ News. 1 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  2. ^ "Seán Barrett". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 28 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Seán Barrett TD". Fine Gael website. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  4. ^ a b Karl Brophy (20 November 1999). "FG Chief Whip to step down at next election". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  5. ^ "Dublin County Council (Ballybrack) – 1974 Local Election". IrelandElection.com. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Local elections, 1991, p. 55" (PDF). Department of the Environment. November 1991. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Seán Barrett". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 17 September 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  8. ^ "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 December 1982. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Ministerial Assignments and Titles: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 February 1986. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of the Government – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 December 1994. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Nomination of Member of the Government: Motion – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 May 1995. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Appointment of Member of Government and Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 24 May 1995. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Dissolution of Dáil – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 May 1997. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  14. ^ "General Election, 17 May 2002: Dun Laoghaire". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  15. ^ Fionnan Sheahan (17 May 2006). "Barrett returns to contest election". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  16. ^ Fionnan Sheahan (31 May 2006). "Barrett wins right to fight for seat at next election". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  17. ^ "Committee chairmanships announced". The Irish Times. 24 October 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  18. ^ "Kenny Announces New Fine Gael Front Bench". Fine Gael. 1 July 2010. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  19. ^ Coonan, Clifford (16 May 2013). "Ceann Comhairle received by Chinese leadership: Seán Barrett to meet Chinese president". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  20. ^ "Evidence of Seán Barrett to Mahon Tribunal" (PDF). The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters & Payments. 8 June 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  21. ^ "FG condemns Barrett tribunal 'outrage'". The Irish Times. 15 July 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2006.
  22. ^ "Correspondence with Kevin O'Higgins, solicitor for Fine Gael" (PDF). The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters & Payments. 25 July 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2006.
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Political offices
Preceded by Government Chief Whip
1982–1986 		Succeeded by
Minister of State at the Department of Defence
1982–1986
Preceded by Minister of State at the Department of Education
1986–1987 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Government Chief Whip
1994–1995 		Succeeded by
Minister of State at the Department of Defence
1994–1995
Preceded by Minister for Defence
1995–1997 		Succeeded by
Minister for the Marine
1995–1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann
2011–2016 		Succeeded by
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