Paul Connaughton Snr (born 6 June 1944) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State for Land Structure and Development from 1982 to 1987.
[2] Between 1982 and 1987, Fine Gael were in government and Connaughton served as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with special responsibility for Land Structure and Development.
Following the parties return to opposition, he was Fine Gael Spokesperson on Energy and Western Development and Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee between 1993 and 1997.
He has also served as spokesman on a range of portfolios including Agriculture; Social Welfare; Defence and Tourism; and Older People during his political career.
His daughter Sinead Connaughton was a member of Galway County Council representing the Tuam local electoral area from 2003–2009.