Michael D. Higgins (born 1941 in Limerick, Ireland), is an Irish Labour politician and poet.

Higgins was educated at St. Flannan's College, Ennis, University College Galway, Indiana University and Manchester University. In 1973 Higgins was appointed to Seanad Éireann by the then Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981 as a Labour TD. He lost his seat at the next election in 1982 but returned to the Seanad. He served as Mayor of Galway on two occasions, 1982-1983 and 1991-1992. Higgins returned to the Dáil in 1987 and has held his seat ever since. In 1993 he joined the Cabinet as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. During his period as Minister he scrapped the controversial Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act, he re-established the Irish Film Board and set up the Irish language television station, Teilifís na Gaeilge. With a Presidential Election looming in 2004 Higgins has indicated that he may run as a Labour candidate.