Michael Noonan | |
---|---|
![]() Noonan in 2017 | |
Minister for Finance | |
In office 9 March 2011 – 14 June 2017 | |
Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
Preceded by | Brian Lenihan |
Succeeded by | Paschal Donohoe |
Leader of the Opposition | |
In office 9 February 2001 – 5 June 2002 | |
President | Mary McAleese |
Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
Preceded by | John Bruton |
Succeeded by | Enda Kenny |
Leader of Fine Gael | |
In office 9 February 2001 – 5 June 2002 | |
Deputy | Jim Mitchell |
Preceded by | John Bruton |
Succeeded by | Enda Kenny |
Minister for Health | |
In office 15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997 | |
Taoiseach | John Bruton |
Preceded by | Michael Woods |
Succeeded by | Brian Cowen |
Minister for Industry and Commerce | |
In office 14 February 1986 – 10 March 1987 | |
Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
Preceded by | John Bruton (Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism) |
Succeeded by | Albert Reynolds |
Minister for Energy | |
In office 20 January 1987 – 10 March 1987 | |
Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
Preceded by | Dick Spring |
Succeeded by | Ray Burke |
Minister for Justice | |
In office 14 December 1982 – 14 February 1986 | |
Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
Preceded by | Seán Doherty |
Succeeded by | Alan Dukes |
Teachta Dála | |
In office February 2011 – February 2020 | |
Constituency | Limerick City |
In office June 1981 – February 2011 | |
Constituency | Limerick East |
Personal details | |
Born | Limerick, Ireland | 21 May 1943
Political party | Fine Gael |
Spouse |
Florence Knightley
(m. 1969; died 2012) |
Children | 5 |
Alma mater | |
Michael Noonan (born 21 May 1943) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Finance from 2011 to 2017, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Fine Gael from 2001 to 2002, Minister for Health from 1994 to 1997, Minister for Industry and Commerce from 1986 to 1987, Minister for Energy from January 1987 to March 1987 and Minister for Justice from 1982 to 1986. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1981 to 2020.[1]
Noonan had been a member of every Fine Gael cabinet since 1982, serving in the cabinets of Garret FitzGerald, John Bruton and Enda Kenny. During these terms of office he held the positions of Justice, Energy, Industry and Commerce, Health and Finance. When Fine Gael lost power after the 1997 general election, Noonan remained an important figure in the party when he became Opposition Spokesperson for Finance.
He succeeded John Bruton as Leader of Fine Gael and Leader of the Opposition in 2001, however, he resigned following Fine Gael's disastrous showing at the 2002 general election. After eight years as a backbencher, during which time he served as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny appointed Noonan to his front bench in 2010, to his former portfolio of Spokesperson for Finance.