Sylvester Barrett

Sylvester Barrett (Irish Salbhastar Bairéad, born May 18, 1926 in Darragh, Ennis, County Clare, † 8 May 2002 ) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.

Biography

Barrett was originally worked as an auctioneer. His political career began on March 14, 1968 when he was elected at a by-election for the vacant seat of the late renewal of Fine Gael politician William Murphy as Deputy ( Teachta Dala ) of the lower house ( Dáil Éireann ). There he represented until 1987, the interests of Fianna Fáil in the constituency of Clare.

From July 1977 to October 1980, he was first environment minister in the governments of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister ) Jack Lynch and Charles J. Haughey. As part of a reshuffle Haughey appointed him in October 1980 Minister of Defence. This office he held until the end of Haugheys term of office on 30 June 1981. In the second cabinet Haughey he was finally March to December 1981 Nation Minister to the Minister of Finance.

Barrett was from 1984 and 1989 also a member of the European Parliament. After he resigned in 1987 to run again for the House of Commons, he decided in 1989 not to reapply for the European Parliament.