Michael Paschal Kitt

Background

In 1975, following the death of his father, Michael Kitt, Snr, he was elected to succeed his father on Galway County Council.

Education

Born in Tuam, County Galway, Kitt was educated Saint Jarlath"s College, Tuam. Street Patrick"s College of Education, Dublin. University College Dublin and University College Galway.

Career

He was a Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) for the Galway East constituency, and was the Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Chairman) of Dáil Éireann. during the 31st Dáil

He qualified as a teacher before becoming involved in politics. He was re-elected to the Dáil at the 1981 general election for the new Galway East and retained his seat until 2002. During this period he served as a Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach for three months from November 1991 to February 1992.

He was re-elected to the Dáil at the 2007 general election.

In June 2007, he was appointed as Minister of State for Overseas Development. In May 2008, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (with special responsibility for Local Services).

He served in this position until April 2009 when he was dropped in a reshuffle. Michael Kitt comes from a family with a strong political background.

On 31 March 2011, he was appointed as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

He was the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Gaeltacht Affairs. He did not contest the 2016 general election.

Politics

In the Galway North–East by-election on 4 March he was elected to the 20th Dáil, being returned on the first count with a 7% majority over the Fine Gael candidate Paul Connaughton, Snr.

Membership

Kitt lost his Dáil seat at the 1977 general election but was subsequently elected to Seanad Éireann by the Administrative Panel, serving until 1981 as a member of the 14th Seanad. He lost his Dáil seat at the 2002 general election but was subsequently nominated by the Taoiseach to serve as a member of the 22nd Seanad.

Connections

brother-in-law:

Gerry Brady