Michael Begley
Minister of State
1981–1982Trade, Commerce and Tourism
Parliamentary Secretary
1975–1977Finance
1973–1975Local Government
Teachta Dála
In office
June 1969 – June 1989
ConstituencyKerry South
Personal details
Born(1932-08-22)22 August 1932
Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland
Died26 March 2012(2012-03-26) (aged 79)
Cork, Ireland
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse
Eleanor Begley
​
(m. 1961)​
Children3
Alma materUniversity College Cork

Michael Begley (22 August 1932 – 26 March 2012) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State at the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism from 1981 to 1982, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance from 1975 to 1977 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government from 1973 to 1975. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kerry South constituency from 1969 to 1989.[1]

Born in Dingle, County Kerry, in 1932, to a farming family. Begley was a carpenter and secondary school teacher before entering national politics.[1]

Prior to his election as a TD, Begley was elected to Kerry County Council and subsequently served as chairman of the council in 1966–67.[2] He was first elected to Dáil Éireann on his third attempt at the 1969 general election for Kerry South.[3] Four years later in 1973, Fine Gael came to power in coalition government with the Labour Party and Begley was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government. In 1975, Begley became Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance following the death of Henry Kenny. He served in that position until 1977.[1]

In 1981, he became a Junior Minister for the Department of Industry and Commerce in the government of Garret FitzGerald. He served in this capacity until 1982 when the government fell.[1] Begley remained a TD until losing his seat at the 1989 general election to the Labour Party's Michael Moynihan. He then retired from politics.

Michael Begley died aged 79. Tributes were paid among many politicians including Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Michael Begley". Oireachtas Members Database. 25 May 1989. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2007.
  2. ^ O'Flaherty, Marian (28 March 2012). "The late Michael Begley – 'a powerful force in local politics'". The Kerryman. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Michael Begley". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Tánaiste expresses condolences on death of Michael Begley". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
Political offices Preceded byLiam Cunningham Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government 1973–1975 Succeeded byOliver J. Flanagan Preceded byHenry Kenny Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance 1975–1977 Succeeded byPearse Wyse Preceded byDenis Gallagher Minister of State at the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism 1981–1982 Office abolished
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