Michael Woods was born in County Wicklow in December 1935. He was educated by the Christian Brothers in Dublin, at University College Dublin and at the Harvard Business School. He qualified with a degree in agricultural science. Woods joined Fianna Fáil in 1968. In 1977 he stood for the Dáil as a Fianna Fáil candidate. He was successful becoming a running mate of Fianna Fáil stalwart George Colley. In 1979 Jack Lynch appointed Woods Minister for State at the Department of An Taoiseach, the Department of Defence and Government Chief Whip. That same year Woods supported Colley in his bid to become leader of he party, however, the other candidate, Charles Haughey, was successful.
Despite Woods' support for the opponent, Haughey appointed him Minister for Health and Social Welfare. He held that post until 1981 and again in the short-lived 1982 government. In 1987 Fianna Fáil returned to power and Woods returned as Minister for Social Welfare. During both his terms as Minister for Social Welfare he worked well in one of the most thankless Ministerial positions. In 1991 he became Minister for Agriculture and Food. In 1992 Woods entered the leadership race to succeed Haughey as leader. He received little support and withdrew from the contest. The eventual victor, Albert Reynolds, retained Woods as Minister for the Marine in his new Cabinet. Following the forming of the Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition in 1993 Woods remained in the Cabinet and was appointed Minister for Health.
In 1997 Fianna Fáil returned to power after three years in opposition. Woods was appointed Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources. He was praised for giving that portfolio a higher profile. He introduced a £70 million overhaul of Ireland's fishing fleet and also introduced a new maritime college. In the Cabinet reshuffle in 2000 Woods replaced Micheál Martin as Minister for Education. He failed to be retained in the Cabinet following the 2002 general election but is still a TD for his Dublin constituency.
Preceded by:
Patrick Lalor |
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach
1979 |
Succeeded by:
Seán Moore |
Preceded by:
Charles J. Haughey |
Minister for Health
1979–1981 |
Succeeded by:
Eileen Desmond |
Minister for Social Welfare
1979–1981 |
Preceded by:
Eileen Desmond |
Minister for Health
1982 |
Succeeded by:
Barry Desmond |
Minister for Social Welfare
1982 |
Preceded by:
Gemma Hussey |
Minister for Social Welfare
1987-1991 |
Succeeded by:
Brendan Daly |
Preceded by:
Michael O'Kennedy |
Minister for Agriculture & Food
1991-1992 |
Succeeded by:
Joe Walsh |
Preceded by:
John P. Wilson |
Minister for the Marine
1992-1993 |
Succeeded by:
David Andrews |
Preceded by:
Charlie McCreevy |
Minister for Social Welfare
1993-1994 |
Succeeded by:
Prionsias de Rossa |
Preceded by:
Brendan Howlin |
Minister for Health
1994 |
Succeeded by:
Michael Noonan |
Preceded by:
Seán Barret |
Minister for the Marine & Natural Resources
1997-2000 |
Succeeded by:
Frank Fahey |
Preceded by:
Micheál Martin |
Minister for Education & Science
2000-2002 |
Succeeded by:
Noel Dempsey |