Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

THE NEW Ceann Comhairle,Séamus Kirk (64), has been a Dáil deputy for 27 years, having been first elected for the Louth constituency in November 1982. He served as a minister of state in the Department of Agriculture for five years.

A native of Drumkeith and living in Knockbridge, he was a farmer before becoming a full-time politician and also played intercounty football with Louth.