Michael Smith (born 1940), Irish Politician and Minister for Defence (1997-present).

Michael Smith was born in Roscrea, County Tipperary in November 1940. He was educated by the Christian Brothers at CBS Templemore and University College Cork. Smith was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1969 as a Fianna Fáil TD. However he lost his seat following the 1973 General Election. Smith returned to Dáil Éireann in 1977. In 1980 he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture. Smith lost his Dáil seat again in 1982. He spent the five years until 1987 as a Senator in Seanad Éireann.

When he returned to the Upper House in 1987 he became Minister of State at the Department of Energy. In 1988 he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Energy. His stay as Minister was short because following the 1989 General Election he was demoted to Minister of State for Science & Technology. In 1992 he returned to Cabinet for two years as Minister for the Environment. In October 1997 he replaced David Andrews as Minister for Defence and has held that position ever since.