Michael Ring
Michael Ring is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála for the Mayo constituency since 1997, and previously from 1994 to 1997 for the Mayo West constituency. He served as Minister for Rural and Community Development from 2017 to 2020, and previously served as Minister of State for Regional Economic Development from 2016 to 2017 and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport from 2011 to 2016.
Ring was born in Westport, County Mayo, in 1953. He was educated at Westport CBS and the local vocational school. He later worked as an estate agent and auctioneer in Westport. Ring was unsuccessful as a Fine Gael candidate in the Mayo West constituency in the 1992 general election. However, he was elected at his second attempt in a 1994 by-election.
He was appointed to the Fine Gael Front Bench in 2002, as Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs. Ring stepped down from the Front Bench in 2004, after an expected demotion, however, he returned in 2007 as Spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
After the formation of the Coalition Government in March 2011, Ring was appointed Minister of State for Tourism and Sport. Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in May 2016, he was appointed Minister of State for Regional Economic Development. He was appointed to cabinet in June 2017, as Minister for Rural and Community Development. His appointment as Minister for Rural and Community Development ended on 27 June 2020.
