Michael Howard

Michael Howard (19 September 1933 – 17 February 2009) was an Irish Fine Gael party politician who served in Seanad Éireann for nearly 20 years. An unsuccessful candidate at the 1969 and 1973 general elections, he was first elected to Seanad Éireann in 1977 by the Industrial and Commercial Panel, he served until 1987 (in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Seanads) and again from 1989–1997 (in the 19th and 20th Seanads), in each case being returned by the Industrial and Commercial Panel. He lost his seat at the 1997 Seanad election. He was an associate member of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body in 1997. Born in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, he was a publican and farmer. He was also a member of Clare County Council and a president of the Vintners Federation of Ireland.