Gay Mitchell

Mitchell was born in Inchicore, Dublin, in 1951. His mother, Eileen, was left a widow with nine children whom she supported by working as an office cleaner. He was educated at St. Michael's Congregation of Christian Brothers, Emmet Road Vocational School, Dublin Institute of Technology, College of Commerce, Queen's University Belfast and the University of Nottingham. Since leaving politics Mitchell gained a degree and masters from The Priory Institute.{{Cite web |url=http://uniquemedia.ie/former-mep-td-gay-mitchell-joins-unique-media/ |title=Former MEP and TD Gay Mitchell joins Unique Media |access-date=2 December 2017 |archive-date=3 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203013720/http://uniquemedia.ie/former-mep-td-gay-mitchell-joins-unique-media/ |url-status=live }} His brother, Jim Mitchell, was a long-serving Fine Gael TD and Minister.

His wife, Norma, conducted prominent charity work in her own right for Epilepsy Ireland, serving as a director of the board from 2011 to 2017 and serving on several committees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.epilepsy.ie/sites/www.epilepsy.ie/files/Audited%20Accounts%20-2017.pdf |title=Mitchell retires from Epilepsy Ireland |website=epilepsy.ie}}

He first held political office in 1979 as a member of Dublin City Council. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD in the 1981 general election for the Dublin South-Central constituency.{{cite web|url=http://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=3449|title=Gay Mitchell|work=ElectionsIreland.org|access-date=9 May 2009|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926170403/https://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=3449|url-status=live}} Since then he has served as a Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs. He was the Irish Representative on the Reflection Group which prepared the Amsterdam Treaty.

Mitchell also served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1992 to 1993.{{cite web|url=https://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/2020-09/lord-mayors-of-dublin-1665-2021.pdf|title=Lord Mayors of Dublin 1665–2020 |work=Dublin City Council|date=June 2020|access-date=18 November 2023}} While never holding full cabinet rank, has served on the opposition front bench as spokesperson for Health from 2000 to 2002, Foreign Affairs 1997 to 2000, Justice from 1993 to 1994, Public Service and Constitutional Reform from 1991 to 1992, Tourism and Transport from 1989 to 1991, European Integration from 1988 to 1989, Urban Renewal from 1987 to 1988 and Health Board Reform from 1981 to 1982.

Following Michael Noonan's resignation as Fine Gael leader in 2002, Mitchell was a challenger in the subsequent leadership election, losing out to the victor, Enda Kenny.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0614/breaking38.html|title=The line of leaders since FitzGerald|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2010|access-date=14 June 2010|archive-date=15 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115094807/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0614/breaking38.html|url-status=live}} Before his election to the European Parliament, he had been party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, writing the party's "Beyond Neutrality" policy document.

In November 2006, Mitchell announced that he had taken the difficult decision not to contest the 2007 general election and concentrate on his European Parliament seat.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1124/tds.html|title=Fox & Mitchell not standing in election|work=RTÉ News|date=24 November 2006|access-date=24 November 2006|archive-date=29 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329033932/http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1124/tds.html|url-status=live}} Mitchell was a Vice Chair of the ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

During the 2008 referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon, Mitchell was Fine Gael's director of elections for the referendum.

Mitchell is a former member of the European Parliament Committee on Development, the Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis and the delegation to the ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. He was also a substitute member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China.

Mitchell is the author of By Dáil Account, the first book published in Ireland on the history and role of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the office of Comptroller and Auditor General. In September 2010, the Brussels-based Parliament Magazine named him "MEP of the Year" having previously nominated him for the award.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/archive-eurostep-weekly/1193-gay-mitchell-receives-mep-award.html |title=Gay Mitchell receives MEP Award |work=Eurostep |date=29 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423044418/http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/archive-eurostep-weekly/1193-gay-mitchell-receives-mep-award.html |archive-date=23 April 2012 }}

In June 2011, Mitchell refused to release details of his expense and allowance claims as a member of the European Parliament.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/two-meps-in-president-race-refuse-to-give-expense-details-2804833.html|title=Two MEPs in President race refuse to give expense details|work=Irish Independent|date=24 June 2011|access-date=28 September 2011|archive-date=25 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125223549/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/two-meps-in-president-race-refuse-to-give-expense-details-2804833.html|url-status=live}}

In March 2013, he said he would not stand at the 2014 European Parliament election.{{cite news|url=https://www.newstalk.ie/Gay-Mitchell-will-not-run-in-2014-MEP-elections |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131008004304/https://www.newstalk.ie/Gay-Mitchell-will-not-run-in-2014-MEP-elections |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2013 |title=Gay Mitchell will not run in 2014 MEP elections |work=Newstalk |date=14 March 2013 }}

{{Main|2011 Irish presidential election}}

In 2011, Mitchell announced his intention to seek the Fine Gael nomination for the Irish presidential election. On 9 July 2011, he was chosen as the Fine Gael candidate at a special convention.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0709/breaking24.html|title=Mitchell chosen as FG candidate|last=De Bréadún|first=Deaglán|date=9 July 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812171257/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0709/breaking24.html|url-status=live}} He announced on The Late Late Show on 30 September 2011, that he expected his campaign for the presidency would cost €350,000.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305088913.html|title=Campaigns to cost up to €350,000, say candidates|date=1 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=1 October 2011|first1=Marie|last1=O'Halloran|first2=Paul|last2=Cullen|archive-date=5 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305152109/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/campaigns-to-cost-up-to-350-000-say-candidates-1.611291|url-status=live}} Mitchell's unsuccessful attempt to bring the Summer Olympic Games to Dublin was also discussed, with the former lord mayor saying he "set up 10 committees" in his attempt to make it happen.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305088976.html|title=Presidential debate gives viewers few talking points|date=1 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=1 October 2011|first=Paul|last=Cullen|archive-date=1 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001083457/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305088976.html|url-status=live}}

Mitchell launched his presidential campaign with Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 3 October 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.98fm.com/2011/category-news-sport/gay-mitchell-launches-presidential-campaign/ |title=Gay Mitchell Launches Presidential Campaign |date=3 October 2011 |work=98 FM |access-date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405044932/http://www.98fm.com/2011/category-news-sport/gay-mitchell-launches-presidential-campaign/ |archive-date=5 April 2012 |df=dmy }} That same day he was involved in controversy when he made a joke about suicide on Newstalk's The Right Hook programme. He promised to "jump off O'Connell Bridge" if he was asked to smile.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/mitchell-makes-jump-off-oconnell-bridge-remark-523002.html|title=Mitchell makes 'jump off O'Connell Bridge' remark|date=3 October 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223336/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/mitchell-makes-jump-off-oconnell-bridge-remark-523002.html|url-status=live}} Founding Secretary of the Irish Association of Suicidology Dr John Connolly described Mitchell's comment as "unfortunate".{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1003/president.html|title=Mitchell remarks on suicide 'unfortunate'|date=3 October 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003230313/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1003/president.html|url-status=live}}

Following the initial withdrawal of David Norris from the 2011 presidential campaign, after it was revealed that Norris had sought clemency for his former partner from a statutory rape conviction, it was subsequently pointed out that Mitchell had also sought clemency for a convict, in his case for Army of God member and double-murderer Paul Jennings Hill,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/politics/fg-defends-clemency-plea-by-mitchell-for-double-murderer-163036.html|title=FG defends clemency plea by Mitchell for double murderer|date=3 August 2011|work=The Irish Examiner|access-date=3 August 2011|archive-date=4 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804075602/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/politics/fg-defends-clemency-plea-by-mitchell-for-double-murderer-163036.html|url-status=live}} a fact that had been public knowledge for eight years.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2003/0903/deathrow.html#article|title=FG appeal over murderer's execution|date=3 September 2008|work=RTÉ News|access-date=5 August 2011|archive-date=18 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018002941/http://www.rte.ie/news/2003/0903/deathrow.html#article|url-status=live}}

On 22 March 2002, Amina Lawal was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery and for conceiving a child out of wedlock,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/26/world/facing-death-for-adultery-nigerian-woman-is-acquitted.html?pagewanted=1 |title=Facing Death for Adultery, Nigerian Woman Is Acquitted |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 September 2003 |access-date=19 February 2017 |archive-date=14 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214102921/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/26/world/facing-death-for-adultery-nigerian-woman-is-acquitted.html?pagewanted=1 |url-status=live |last1=Sengupta |first1=Somini }} as chair of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee, Mitchell met with the Nigerian ambassador to Ireland to protest the sentence at the time.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mitchell-camp-still-refusing-to-release-antiexecution-letters-2848860.html#article|title=Mitchell camp still refusing to release anti-execution letters|date=15 October 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=15 October 2011|archive-date=16 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116134758/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mitchell-camp-still-refusing-to-release-antiexecution-letters-2848860.html#article|url-status=live}}

Another convict Mitchell sought clemency for was Louis Truesdale, who was convicted in 1980, of the rape and murder of 18-year-old Rebecca Ann Eudy.{{cite web|url=http://www-secure.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR51/116/1998/en/86175d1d-e754-11dd-b8d3-c95de5982fed/amr511161998en.html |title=Amnesty International Report on the Death Penalty |publisher=Secure.amnesty.org |access-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423010632/http://www-secure.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR51/116/1998/en/86175d1d-e754-11dd-b8d3-c95de5982fed/amr511161998en.html |archive-date=23 April 2012 |df=dmy }} The victim's mother, Evelyn Eudy said that she "was appalled to hear Mr Mitchell was running as a presidential candidate in Ireland". According to newspaper reports when he was questioned about these letters on 27 August 2011, he "became quite incensed" and revealed that he has written "a number" of clemency pleas.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mitchell-furious-over-focus-on-pleas-for-murderers-2859463.html#article|title=Mitchell furious over focus on pleas for murderers|date=27 August 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=28 August 2011|first=Edel|last=O'Connell}}

When asked for his views on same-sex marriage in a radio interview with Pat Kenny on 12 August 2011, Mitchell said he did not want to do anything that "weakens marriage" but that he had supported civil unions.{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0813/1224302378932.html | title=Mitchell defends EU role in Irish affairs | date=13 August 2011 | newspaper=The Irish Times | access-date=29 September 2011 | archive-date=14 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814182758/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0813/1224302378932.html | url-status=live }} In 2004, Mitchell defended Italian MEP Rocco Buttiglione's remarks when he referred to homosexuality as a sin.{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2004/1015/1097739399112.html | title=Mitchell defends Italian MEP | date=15 October 2004 | newspaper=The Irish Times | access-date=13 July 2011 | archive-date=21 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121003032/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2004/1015/1097739399112.html | url-status=live }}

Mitchell has been questioned as to whether or not he is a member of the European Catholic group Dignitatis Humanae Institute, which he denied on the same radio interview with Pat Kenny,{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/radio1/player_av.html?0,null,200,http://dynamic.rte.ie/quickaxs/209-r1-todaywithpatkenny.smil |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912162333/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/player_av.html?0,null,200,http://dynamic.rte.ie/quickaxs/209-r1-todaywithpatkenny.smil |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2012 |title=RTÉ Radio, The Pat Kenny Show, 12 August 2011. |publisher=RTÉ |access-date=28 September 2011 }} However, according to Benjamin Harnwell, the institute's founding chairman Mitchell helped formulate the charter that became the institute's Universal Declaration of Human Dignity.Universal Deceleration of Human Dignity{{cite web|url=http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-32191 |title=Zenit on Dignitatis Humanae Institute |publisher=Zenit |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402061650/http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-32191 |archive-date= 2 April 2011 }} In the same interview Mitchell was also asked whether or not he is a member of the Iona Institute (who reject the notion of same-sex marriages), which he also denied. However, in September 2007, he did host a conference (The Fragmenting Family) on behalf of the Iona Institute.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=3941 |title=Increase in marriage breakdown a disaster for children, says expert |work=CI News |date=15 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002165232/http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=3941 |archive-date=2 October 2011 |df=dmy }}

{{anchor |The evil of two lessers}}Michael McDowell, contrasting Gay Mitchell to his brother Jim in a humorous wordplay on the principle of "the lesser of two evils", once jokingly referred to Gay as "the evil of two lessers".{{cite journal | url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/20633039| title = Obiter dicta| date = Summer 2007 |access-date=12 September 2020 | journal = Books Ireland | publisher= Wordwell Ltd.| issue = 295 | pages = 141–143 | last = Dillon-Malone | first = Aubrey | doi = | jstor = 20633039|quote=My favourite, though, has to be Michael McDowell's comment on Gay Mitchell: 'He is the evil of two lessers' even if this witticism is culled from a comment once made even more piquantly about Frank Loesser and his brother.}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/irelands-best-insults-hey-you-thundering-amadan-if-brains-wer-dynamite-you-wouldnt-have-enough-to-blow-your-nose-26701140.html|title=Ireland's best insults: Hey, you thundering amadán, if brains wer dynamite you wouldn't have enough to blow your nose!|publisher=Irish Independent|first=Darragh|last=Darragh McManus|date=20 November 2010|access-date=12 September 2017 |quote=Michael McDowell put Gay Mitchell in his place by saying he was "the evil of two lessers"}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/the-inquisitor-continues-his-campaign-for-costello-s-just-society-1.239242|title=The inquisitor continues his campaign for Costello's Just Society|publisher=Irish Times|first=Miriam|last=Donohoe|author-link=Miriam Donohoe|date=16 October 1999|access-date=12 September 2017 |quote=The Attorney General and former Progressive Democrat TD, Michael McDowell, once famously referred to Gay Mitchell as the "evil of two lessers" during a Dail exchange.}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/seatbelts-warning-still-holds-as-right-s-rasputin-turns-legal-1.205022|title=Seatbelts warning still holds as right's Rasputin turns legal|publisher=Irish Times|date=10 July 1999|access-date=12 September 2017 |quote=This, after all, is the man who has made it difficult to look at Gay Mitchell (whose brother Jim is also a TD) without recalling the McDowell description of him as "the evil of two lessers". }}

• Families in the Oireachtas

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{MEP|28112|Gay Mitchell}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-civ}}

{{s-bef|before = Seán Kenny}}

{{s-ttl|title = Lord Mayor of Dublin

|years = 1992–1993}}

{{s-aft|after = Tomás Mac Giolla}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before = Tom Kitt}}

{{s-ttl|title = Minister of State for European Affairs

|years = 1994–1997}}

{{s-non|reason= Office abolished}}

{{s-end}}

{{Dublin South-Central (Dáil constituency)/TDs}}

{{Members of the European Parliament for Ireland (2004–2009)}}

{{Members of the European Parliament for Ireland (2009–2014)}}

{{Fine Gael}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Gay}}

Category:1951 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of Dublin Institute of Technology

Category:Alumni of Queen's University Belfast

Category:Alumni of Institute of Technology, Tallaght

Category:Alumni of the University of Nottingham

Category:Candidates for President of Ireland

Category:Fine Gael MEPs

Category:Fine Gael TDs

Category:Lord mayors of Dublin

Category:Members of the 22nd Dáil

Category:Members of the 23rd Dáil

Category:Members of the 24th Dáil

Category:Members of the 25th Dáil

Category:Members of the 26th Dáil

Category:Members of the 27th Dáil

Category:Members of the 28th Dáil

Category:Members of the 29th Dáil

Category:MEPs for the Republic of Ireland 2009–2014

Category:MEPs for the Republic of Ireland 2004–2009

Category:Ministers of State of the 27th Dáil

Category:Fine Gael local councillors