Patrick Hillery
Patrick John Hillery ( Irish: Pádraig Seán Ó hIrighile, born 2 May 1923 in Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay, County Clare, † April 12, 2008 in Dublin) was an Irish politician and from 1976 to 1990, the sixth President of Ireland (Irish: na hÉireann Uachtarán ).
Biography
" Paddy " Hillery studied medicine and was then, as before, his father, a doctor in his hometown. At the same time he became politically active in the conservative party, Fianna Fáil. In 1951, he was selected along with Éamon de Valera as Teachta Dala and represented in the following 20 years, the County Clare in Dáil Éireann. During this time he was Minister of Education from 1959 to 1965, from 1965 to 1969 Minister of Industry and Trade (simultaneously from 1966 Labour Minister ) and 1969-1973 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland.
Hillery was one of the negotiators in the preparations for Ireland's accession to the European Economic Community and was first Irish Commissioner of the EEC in 1973, responsible for Labour and Social Affairs. After the surprising resignation of the President of Ireland Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh Hillery was appointed to succeed him in 1976.
Hillery office until the commencement of his successor in 1990 two full terms of office as President of Ireland. In 2002, the politician to retired set for the referendum on the Treaty of Nice.
Patrick Hillery died after a short illness.