Michael Noonan (Fine Gael politician)

Michael Noonan
Noonan in 2017
Minister for Finance
In office
9 March 2011 – 14 June 2017
TaoiseachEnda Kenny
Preceded byBrian Lenihan
Succeeded byPaschal Donohoe
Leader of the Opposition
In office
9 February 2001 – 5 June 2002
PresidentMary McAleese
TaoiseachBertie Ahern
Preceded byJohn Bruton
Succeeded byEnda Kenny
Leader of Fine Gael
In office
9 February 2001 – 5 June 2002
DeputyJim Mitchell
Preceded byJohn Bruton
Succeeded byEnda Kenny
Minister for Health
In office
15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997
TaoiseachJohn Bruton
Preceded byMichael Woods
Succeeded byBrian Cowen
Minister for Industry and Commerce
In office
14 February 1986 – 10 March 1987
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byJohn Bruton (Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism)
Succeeded byAlbert Reynolds
Minister for Energy
In office
20 January 1987 – 10 March 1987
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byDick Spring
Succeeded byRay Burke
Minister for Justice
In office
14 December 1982 – 14 February 1986
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded bySeán Doherty
Succeeded byAlan Dukes
Teachta Dála
In office
February 2011 – February 2020
ConstituencyLimerick City
In office
June 1981 – February 2011
ConstituencyLimerick East
Personal details
Born (1943-05-21) 21 May 1943 (age 81)
Limerick, Ireland
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse
Florence Knightley
(m. 1969; died 2012)
Children5
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.

  1. ^ "Michael Noonan". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2009.