Michael Keating (Irish politician)

Michael Keating (born 29 September 1946) is an Irish former politician.^[1]

Early life

Keating was born in Dublin in 1946. He was educated at the Christian Brothers O'Connell School, University College Dublin, and St. Patrick's College in Maynooth where he received a Bachelor of Arts. He worked as a secondary school teacher before becoming involved in politics.

Political activity

He unsuccessfully contested the 1973 general election for Fine Gael, in Dublin Central, but was elected to Dublin City Council in 1974. He became Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1983. He was successful in his second attempt at a seat in Dáil Éireann at the 1977 general election, being elected for Dublin North–Central. In 1981 he was elected in the re-created Dublin Central, and was successfully returned there at every election until retiring in 1989.^[2] He was later appointed Opposition spokesperson on urban affairs.

Minister of State

In 1981 Fine Gael came to power in a coalition government, and Keating was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Education. His portfolio was youth and sport. He remained in that position until 1982. It was the only time that he held ministerial office.

Progressive Democrats

In 1986 Keating left Fine Gael to join the newly formed Progressive Democrats and became deputy leader of the party. He won one of their 14 seats in the 1987 general election. He retired from politics in 1989 to concentrate on his business interests.

Alleged fraud

Keating paid €250,000 to the Criminal Assets Bureau for unpaid tax.^[3] The Bureau had been investigating his affairs for more than three years. He was also named in a British court in 2000 as a partner in crime, in a £20m VAT fraud.^[3]

References