Michael Hayes (politician)

Michael Hayes (1 December 1889 – 11 July 1976) was an Irish politician. He was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1921 general election and served until 1933.

He served as Minister for Education during 1922. He was also Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 1922 to 1932 and served in Seanad Éireann from 1938 to 1965.

Hayes was born in Dublin, and educated at the Synge Street CBS and at University College Dublin (UCD). He later became a lecturer in French at the University. In 1913 he joined the Irish Volunteers and fought in Jacob's Factory during the Easter Rising in 1916. He escaped capture but was arrested in 1920 and interned at Ballykinlar.

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Sinn Féin Teachta Dála (TD) for the National University of Ireland constituency at the 1921 general election. At the 1922 general election he was elected as a Pro-Treaty Sinn Féin TD. He served as Minister for Education from January to September 1922 as part of the Dail Aireacht ministry as opposed to the Provisional Government. He had special responsibility for secondary education. He was also acting Minister for Foreign Affairs from August to September 1922. He supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty during the crucial debates in 1922. That same year he was elected Ceann Comhairle of the first Dáil of the Irish Free State. He held that post for ten years until 1932.

At the 1923 general election, he was elected as a Cumann na nGaedheal TD for two constituencies; Dublin South and National University of Ireland. He resigned his seat in Dublin South following the election.

Hayes lost his Dáil seat at the 1933 general election, but was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1938. He remained a Senator until 1965, acting as leader of government and opposition there.

Hayes became Professor of Irish at UCD in 1951.