Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA {{IPA|}}; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. From its establishment in the early twentieth century, the party moved from being a radical, slightly left of centre party, to become the establishment, its influence dominating government and Irish political life from the 1930's onwards. It has been the largest party in Dail Eireann since 1932, and formed the government from 1932-48, 1951-54, 1957-73, 1977-82, 1987-94, and since 1997.

Fianna Fáil Corruption

The party, along with its coalition partners, was comfortably reelected in the 2002 general election. It has however been hit by numerous scandals. (Founding father Frank Aiken refused to run in the 1973 general election because the party had Haughey as a candidate while first leader Eamon de Valera told a senior minister in 1970 that "Haughey will ruin the party.") While Fine Gael have not proved themselves immune to graft, Fianna Fáil has been the object of a greater number of allegations. Fianna Fáil has been accused by Fine Gael and Labour of being "the most corrupt party ever to enter Dáil Eireann".

Related Topics:
Frank Aiken - Eamon de Valera - Fine Gael

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Another former minister, Ray Burke, whom the current leader appointed to cabinet for a short time in 1997, was recently explicitly described by retired High Court judge, Fergus Flood in a tribunal of inquiry as "corrupt", and was jailed in January 2005 for tax offences. The privileged treatment accorded to Burke in prison was subsequently widely criticised, especially by Fine Gael.

Related Topics:
Ray Burke - High Court - Fergus Flood

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Former Fianna Fáil Government Press Secretary Frank Dunlop is currently giving evidence to a tribunal of inquiry in relation to his allegations that long-serving Fianna Fáil senator took bribes to arrange for planning permissions to be granted to particular property developers. Other councillors (past and present) from a number of parties, but predominantly from Fianna Fáil, are expected to be named. However the tribunal has yet to judge the credibility or otherwise of Dunlop and his evidence.

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Former Fianna Fáil TD, Liam Lawlor is another of those who has been accused of corrupt practices in relation to planning and development. He has been jailed several times for refusing to cooperate with the tribunal. He did not resign his Lucan seat and continued to attend the Dáil, returning to Mountjoy Prison after the sessions, where he enjoys most of the same privileges as Mr. Burke. The two even have contact with each other inside the prison. Another TD, Beverly Cooper-Flynn of Mayo, was forced to resign from the party when it was revealed that she had advised people on how to illegally evade tax while working as a financial adviser for National Irish Bank. She was readmitted when she threatened to run as an Independent candidate, but was expelled again after she lost a libel action against RTÉ.

Related Topics:
Liam Lawlor - Lucan - Dáil - Mountjoy Prison - Beverly Cooper-Flynn - Mayo - National Irish Bank - RTÉ

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