Michael Hilliard

Michael Hilliard (* March 11, 1903; † 1 January 1982) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.

Biography

Hilliard, who was a cattle dealer by profession, began his national political career as a candidate of the Fianna Fáil in 1943 with the election of deputies ( Teachta Dala ) of the lower house ( Dáil Éireann ) and represented there initially until 1948 the constituency of Meath - Westmeath and then until 1973 the interests of Meath.

In February 1958 Taoiseach (Prime Minister ) Éamon de Valera appointed him Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Trade.

In the subsequent government of Prime Minister Seán Lemass he was on June 23, 1959 First Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. His tenure was on 1 June 1960, the founding of Raidió Teilifís Éireann ( RTÉ ), as well as New Year's Eve 1961, the beginning of its television program.

As part of a reshuffle Lemass then appointed him on 21 April 1965 Secretary of Defense. This office he retained also in the subsequent government of Taoiseach Jack Lynch to 2 July 1969.

In 1973 he suffered at the general election defeat, and retired from the Dáil from. Until then, he was also briefly a member of the first delegation in the European Parliament after the accession of Ireland to the European Communities in 1973 and thus quasi member of the European Parliament.

His son Colm Hilliard was also for several years a member of the House of Commons.