Séamus Pattison facts for kids

Séamus Pattison (born 19 April 1936 – died 4 February 2018) was an Irish politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. Séamus Pattison served in the Dáil Éireann, which is Ireland's main parliament.

He was a Teachta Dála (TD), meaning a member of parliament, for the Carlow–Kilkenny area for a very long time, from 1961 to 2007. He also held important roles like Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) of Dáil Éireann from 1997 to 2002. After that, he was the Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Speaker) from 2002 to 2007.

Séamus Pattison was also a Minister of State for Social Welfare from 1983 to 1987. This role meant he helped manage government departments. From 1995 to 2007, he was known as the Father of the Dáil. This is an unofficial title for the longest-serving member of parliament. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Leinster area from 1981 to 1983.

Early Life and Education

Séamus Pattison was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1936. His father, James Pattison, was also a politician. He was a Labour Party TD for the same Carlow–Kilkenny area from 1933 to 1957.

Séamus went to University College Cork for his education. After finishing college, he became a full-time official for a trade union. This was the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (ITGWU). A trade union helps workers with their rights and working conditions.

Political Career Highlights

Séamus Pattison first tried to become a TD in June 1960. He ran in a special election called a by-election for the Carlow–Kilkenny area, but he did not win that time. However, he was successfully elected in the general election in 1961. This meant he became a member of the 17th Dáil. He then won his seat in eleven more general elections after that.

He served as the Mayor of Kilkenny three times. These years were 1967, 1976, and 1992. Being a mayor means he was the main leader of the city council.

In 1981, he became a MEP for the Leinster area. He took over from Liam Kavanagh, who became a government minister. Séamus Pattison left his MEP role in 1983. This was because he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare. He held this important government job until January 1987.

On 26 June 1997, he was chosen to be the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. This is a very important role, like being the speaker or chairperson of the parliament. He led the 28th Dáil. After the 2002 general election, Rory O'Hanlon became the new Ceann Comhairle. However, Séamus Pattison was then appointed as Leas-Cheann Comhairle, which means he was the deputy chairperson for the 29th Dáil.

Séamus Pattison was also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This group works to promote democracy and human rights across Europe.

In September 2005, he announced that he would retire from politics. He did not run in the next general election in 2007.

Later Life and Passing

When Séamus Pattison retired from politics in 2007, he had served in Dáil Éireann for 45 years and 7 months. This made him one of the longest-serving TDs ever. He was also the longest-serving Labour Party TD in history. From 1995 to 2007, he was the longest-serving member in the Dáil at that time. Because of this, he was informally known as the Father of the Dáil.

Séamus Pattison passed away at his home in Kilkenny on 4 February 2018. He was 81 years old. He died from Parkinson's disease.

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas