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.

History

Fianna Fáil was founded on March 23, 1926, and adopted its name on April 2 of the same year. It was founded by Éamon de Valera, former Príomh-Áire (prime minister & president of Dáil Éireann (April 1919-August 1921)) and President of the Republic (August 1921-January 1922). De Valera had resigned from the presidency in January 1922 over the Anglo-Irish Treaty which created the Irish Free State. He had led anti-Treaty Sinn Féin during the Irish Civil War (1922-23) before resigning from the party in 1926, in protest at the party's hard-line policy of Abstensionism, the refusal to accept the legitimacy of the Free State or Dáil Éireann. Though his new party, Fianna Fáil, was also opposed to the Treaty settlement, it adopted a more pragmatic approach of aiming to republicanise the Irish Free State rather than imagining all that had happened between 1922 and 1926 was invalid and that one could simply turn the clock back to the days of the direct British rule and start the Independence process again.

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Fianna Fáil initially refused to enter the Irish Free State's Dáil Éireann in protest at the Oath of Allegiance which all members of the Dáil were obliged to take. (The Oath, which was contained in the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, was drafted by Michael Collins, using phraseology taken the Irish Republican Brotherhood's Oath and suggestions from de Valera, then President of the Republic. In its final form, it promised "allegiance" to "The Irish Free State" and "that I will be faithful" to King George V in his role as King of Ireland.) The party initially took a court case on the issue of the oath. However the assassination of the Cumann na nGaedhael (pronounced "cum-on na gale") Minister for Justice, Kevin O'Higgins, led the then government to introduce a new Bill, requiring all candidates to swear that they would take the oath if elected. (If they declined to give that guarantee, they would be ineligible to be candidates in any election.) Fianna Fáil abandoned its previous refusal to take the Oath, dismissed it as an "empty formula", and entered the Dáil.

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The first party leader was Eamon de Valera. Other founding members included Seán Lemass (who became its second leader), Sean T. Ó Ceallaigh (surname pronounced "o'kyal-ee"; the English version is Sean T. O'Kelly), P.J. Ruttledge and others. Its initial appeal was to anti-treaty supporters and working class people.

Related Topics:
Eamon de Valera - Seán Lemass - Sean T. Ó Ceallaigh - P.J. Ruttledge

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De Valera, 1926-1959

On March 9 1932 Eamon de Valera was elected President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State. It was a position he was to hold for twenty one years, sixteen of which were un-interrupted. During his first term de Valera weakened the links between the Free State and Britain. The ban on the IRA was lifted, the Oath of Allegiance to the British Crown was abolished and the office of Governor-General was greatly demoted. De Valera also started an economic war with Britain by withholding land annuity payments and by placing high tariffs on British imports such as coal. The British responded by placing tariffs on Irish goods such as agricultural produce. This "tit for tat" policy, which was disastrous for the Irish economy, would last until 1938 when the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement was signed.

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In May 1936 de Valera abolished the Irish Senate. At that time he also announced his intention to draw up a new constitution. On 1 July 1937 the Irish people adopted the new Bunreacht na hÉireann. This new constitution was republican in all but name. The constitution claimed that the state consisted of the entire island of Ireland and the office of Governor-General was replaced by the President of Ireland. De Valera was able to succeed with this tactic as the 1930's had seen a change in Britains relationship with her colonies. The Statute of Westminister declared a national law to be as valid as one from Westminister, and so the Houses of Commons/Lords no longer had a role in turning National bills into Law. It was a delicate political move but one which de Valera managed to execute without major disruption.

Related Topics:
1936 - 1 July - 1937 - Bunreacht na hÉireann - Republican - President of Ireland

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In 1939 at the outbreak of World War II de Valera announced that Ireland would remain neutral. This policy infuriated the British; however, Ireland's neutrality strongly favoured the Allies. Following the Irish General Election, 1948 Fianna Fáil lost power. They returned in 1951 but no new ideas emerged from the Cabinet. Seán Lemass was eager to launch a new economic policy but the conservative elements in the government prevailed. Fianna Fáil lost power again in 1954.

Related Topics:
1939 - World War II - Ireland's neutrality - Irish General Election, 1948 - 1951 - Seán Lemass - 1954

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In 1957 de Valera returned for the final time as Taoiseach. At this stage he was 75 years old and almost blind. However, he allowed Lemass to proceed with his economic expansion plan. This culminated in the 'Programme for Economic Expansion' of 1958. In 1959 Dev (as he was popularly called) was elected the third President of Ireland. His successor was his Tánaiste, Seán Lemass.

Related Topics:
1957 - Taoiseach - 1958 - 1959 - President of Ireland - Tánaiste

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Lemass 1959-1966

Seán Lemass became the new leader of the Party and Taoiseach on 23 June 1959 (the same day de Valera became President). Lemass as Taoiseach concentrated his energy on mainly economic matters. He had the task of implementing the 'First Programme for Economic Development' which began in 1958. The policy of Protectionism was abandoned and free trade was introduced. Grants and tax concessions were given to companies who set up in Ireland. As a result of the 'Programme' the Irish economy grew at a rate of 4% per annum. A second, even more ambitious, 'Programme for Economic Expansion' was started in 1963.

Related Topics:
Seán Lemass - Taoiseach - 23 June - 1959 - 1958 - 1963

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Lemass' success in managing the economy led to his victory in the Irish General Election, 1961. Lemass now felt that he had a greater mandate and began making more changes. He introduced a new wave of fresh and more modern thinkers to the Cabinet, including, Brian Lenihan, Charles Haughey, George Colley and Patrick Hillery. Even though this was a minority government it is considered by many the best and most productive government in the history of the state.

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The sixties were a time of great change in Ireland. In 1961 RTÉ began broadcasting; opening up a new world to the Irish people. The following year the Second Vatican Council led to greater openness in the Catholic Church, which was still a major force in Ireland. In 1963 the U.S President John F. Kennedy visited Ireland. In 1966 free secondary education was announced by the Minister for Education, Donagh O'Malley.

Related Topics:
1961 - RTÉ - Second Vatican Council - Catholic Church - Ireland - 1963 - John F. Kennedy - 1966 - Donagh O'Malley

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During this term Lemass began a new policy of reconciliation with Northern Ireland. On 9 January 1965 Lemass travelled to Stormont in great secrecy for talks with Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Terence O'Neill. In February O'Neill returned the compliment and visited Lemass in Dublin. Later meetings between ministers from both sides of the border became more frequent. Unfortunately, the lavish celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966 offended many unionists.

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In November 1966 Lemass announced his resignation as leader and Taoiseach. After fifty years serving Ireland and its people the founding fathers, Seán Lemass, Seán MacEntee and James Ryan, who had dominated Irish politics for so long, left the stage of history. After their departure a new breed of politics and politician was developing. This can be seen in the leadership race to succeed Lemass as Taoiseach.

Related Topics:
1966 - Taoiseach - Seán Lemass - Seán MacEntee - James Ryan

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Lynch 1966-1979

Jack Lynch was elected the third leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach on November 10, 1966. Frank Aiken, the long-serving Minister for Foreign Affairs and the only surviving member from de Valera's first Cabinet, was appointed Tánaiste. During Lynch's first term as Taoiseach he faced several crises which were unprecedented. In 1969 the Troubles broke out in Northern Ireland. Lynch was determined that the violence would not spread to the Republic and cause a civil war. At the height of the violence he made a famous speech on RTÉ saying that the government could no longer stand by and watch innocent people be injured or perhaps worse. Many thought that the Republic was about to invade the North, and contingency plans were drawn up by the Irish Army to take Derry and Newry. These were never implemented, as it was believed that to invade the North would have triggered the slaughter of countless Catholics at the hands of their heavily-armed unionist neighbours. Lynch was mostly successful in confining the violence to Northern Ireland. He also established centres to process Catholic refugees.

Related Topics:
Jack Lynch - November 10 - 1966 - Frank Aiken - Tánaiste - 1969 - The Troubles - Northern Ireland - RTÉ - Irish Army - Derry - Newry - Catholics - Unionist

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The following year (1970) Lynch discovered that two government ministers, Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney, had apparently become involved in a plot to import arms for use by the Provisional IRA. Both men were sacked from the Cabinet in what became known as the Arms Crisis. Later Haughey and Blaney were arrested and put on trial, however, both were acquitted. The crisis led to deep division within Fianna Fáil for some time.

Related Topics:
1970 - Charles Haughey - Neil Blaney - Provisional IRA - Arms Crisis

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On 1 January 1973 Ireland officially became a member of the EEC. This was one of the major achievements of Lynch's terms as Taoiseach and one which was started by Lemass over ten years earlier. Following the Irish General Election, 1973 Fianna Fáil found themselves in opposition. It was the first change of government for sixteen years. The Fine Gael-Labour coalition lasted for four years.

Related Topics:
1 January - 1973 - EEC - Taoiseach - Irish General Election, 1973 - Fine Gael - Labour

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In the Irish General Election, 1977 Fianna Fáil won its biggest ever election victory with a majority of twenty seats. The reasons for its huge victory were the populist economic policies it put forward, the dissatisfaction with the Coalition, the huge popularity of Lynch as leader, and the attempted gerrymander of many constituencies by Minister Tully. However after two years the government grew more and more unpopular. Poor results in the European elections and two by-elections added to the pressure on Lynch and he resigned on 5 December 1979. Two days later a two-horse leadership race between George Colley and Charles Haughey developed.

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Haughey 1979-1992

Nine years after the 'Arms Crisis' nearly ended his career Charles J. Haughey was elected the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach. Haughey's first term as Taoiseach was dominated by economic problems. Ireland's economy was in a poor state following the oil crisis and foreign debt was spiralling out of control. In the Irish General Election, 1981 Fianna Fáil received its worst result in twenty years. Haughey and Fianna Fáil found themselves in opposition.

Related Topics:
Charles J. Haughey - Taoiseach - Irish General Election, 1981

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1982/1983 was an extraordinary period for Irish politics. Two general elections were held and there were three attempts to overthrow Haughey as leader of Fianna Fáil. In the Irish General Election, 1982 (February) Haughey again failed to win a majority. Several TDs led by Desmond O'Malley challenged Haughey for the leadership but backed down on the day of the vote. Haughey was elected Taoiseach with the help of Independent TDs. In October another attempt to oust Haughey was initiated by Charlie McCreevy. This time the issue was put to a vote but Haughey won easily when an open vote was held. Following the Irish General Election, 1982 (November) Fianna Fáil lost power and another leadership battle loomed in Fianna Fáil. In February 1983 another challenge to overthrow Haughey was made. This time a secret ballot was held but the result was practically the same, 40 votes to 33 in favour of Haughey. Fianna Fáil then spent four years in opposition.

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Following the Irish General Election, 1987 Fianna Fáil returned to power but had failed to gain an overall majority. Haughey was narrowly elected Taoiseach. During this term as Taoiseach Haughey concentrated mostly on economic issues, trying to turn around the country's fiscal situation. By that time, Ireland was the sick man of Western Europe and barely escaped having the IMF take over the economy. In 1989 Haughey tried to pull off what would have been his greatest achievement. He called an early general election in the hope of gaining an overall majority. However, instead of gaining seats Fianna Fáil lost seats and was forced to form a coalition with the Progressive Democrats, a political offshoot, to stay in power. Fianna Fáil had always ruled out coalition government beforehand, and many in the party were unhappy with Haughey's volte-face. This marked the beginning of the end for Haughey.

Related Topics:
Irish General Election, 1987 - Taoiseach - Western Europe - IMF - 1989 - Progressive Democrats

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Following the Irish presidential election, 1990 Haughey was forced to sack his Tánaiste and long-time friend, Brian Lenihan. In 1991 Haughey faced a leadership challenge from Albert Reynolds. This challenge was unsuccessful, however it showed that Haughey was losing his grip on the party. In 1992 Seán Doherty placed Haughey at the centre of a scandal regarding the tapping of two journalists telephones ten years earlier. Haughey had always maintained that he knew nothing about this, but Doherty publicly stated otherwise. This time Haughey's luck had run out and he resigned. Albert Reynolds, who had challenged Haughey in 1991, emerged as the new leader of Fianna Fail and Taoiseach.

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Reynolds 1992-1994

On 11 February 1992 Albert Reynolds was elected Taoiseach. After receiving his seal of office from President Mary Robinson he announced his new Cabinet. Reynolds sacked eight members of Haughey's last administration including Gerard Collins and Ray Burke. Reynolds cabinet contained many new faces and left much of the 'old guard' out in the cold. Reynolds had hoped to continue in coalition with the Progressive Democrats, however, following the Beef Tribunal the PDs withdrew from government and an election was called.

Related Topics:
11 February - 1992 - Mary Robinson - Gerard Collins - Ray Burke - Progressive Democrats - Beef Tribunal

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When the results of the Irish General Election, 1992 came in it was clear that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had done badly. Labour achieved their best ever result with 33 seats. After negotiations Fianna Fáil entered into a coalition with the Irish Labour Party. Dick Spring of Labour took on the important roles of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Related Topics:
Irish General Election, 1992 - Irish Labour Party - Dick Spring - Tánaiste

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One of the most important components of Reynolds period as Taoiseach was the Northern Ireland peace process. Reynolds had favoured allowing republicans into mainstream politics if they renounced violence. Negotiations had been going on between John Hume and Gerry Adams for some time and Reynolds now approached his British counterpart, John Major. On 15 December 1993 the Downing Street Declaration was signed between both governments. This agreement paved the way for an IRA ceasefire in 1994. This was one of the most important achievements of Reynolds' short term.

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In 1994 Reynolds and Spring had a disagreement over an appointment of a judge to the Irish Supreme Court. Both men wanted to appoint someone different and both had their own reasons for doing so, with Reynolds approach to the whole affair causing concern among those who believed in appointing the best qualified candidate. Eventually this disagreement led to the end of Reynolds' period as Taoiseach and he resigned in November 1994. The new leader to emerge was the then Minister for Finance Bertie Ahern.

Related Topics:
1994 - Bertie Ahern

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Ahern 1994-present

On 19 November 1994 Bertie Ahern was elected the sixth and youngest leader of Fianna Fáil. Ahern was poised to become Taoiseach and continue in coalition with Labour. However the day before the government was to return Dick Spring called off the deal and the coalition ended. Instead Labour helped form a new government lead by Fine Gael. Ahern now found himself as leader of the opposition, a position which he hadn't anticipated. Following the Irish General Election, 1997 Fianna Fáil formed a government with the Progressive Democrats in which Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach.

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The election of Tony Blair in Britain gave renewed hope of an agreement for peace in Northern Ireland, an issue that has traditionally always been associated with Fianna Fail. The work of Ahern and his government, as well as that of the relievent power bases in the UK/US, culminated in the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement was signed by politicians from the Republic, Britain and Northern Ireland and ratified by the electorate on both sides of the Irish border.

Related Topics:
Tony Blair - Northern Ireland - Good Friday Agreement

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During Ahern's term Fianna Fáil faced increased criticism over corruption. Ray Burke was forced to resign as Minister for Foreign Affairs due to corruption and Liam Lawlor was and is being investigated over payments he received. Both were eventually jailed. Also, details of former leader Charles Haughey's illegal financial dealings came to light during Ahern's tenure as Taoiseach.

Related Topics:
Ray Burke - Liam Lawlor - Charles Haughey

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If the results of the Irish General Election, 2002 are anything to go by these scandals have done little to dampen the popularity of Ahern and Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil were just pipped of an overall majority. Instead of leading a minority government Fianna Fáil continued in coalition with the Progressive Democrats. It was the first time since 1969 that a government had been re-elected.

Related Topics:
Irish General Election, 2002 - Progressive Democrats - 1969

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Since the election Ahern has stated that he has no intention of stepping down as leader. The two favourites to succeed him, Brian Cowen and Micheál Martin are reluctant to comment on their leadership ambitions. Following his period as Minster for Health, Martin has lost ground in the race for heir apparent of theparty. For the time being, the question is moot as it appears from Ahern's statements that he intends to lead Fianna Fáil into a third general election. Also, the political cycle in Ireland is such that a change of leader at this stage would hugely damage the chances of Fianna Fail.

Related Topics:
Brian Cowen - Micheál Martin

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In the local elections in 2004 the Fianna Fáil vote plummeted to its lowest level since the 1920's, mainly due to some bad financial decisions during the present government, and the percieved failure of the government to fulfil many of its election pledges.

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In response to this, some shifts in policy and a cabinet reshuffle took place in September 2004.

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◄ Fianna Fáil: Leaders (presidents) of Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil: Fianna Fáil Presidents ►

~ Table of Content ~

►	Introduction
►	Leaders (presidents) of Fianna Fáil
►	History
►	Fianna Fáil Presidents
►	Fianna Fáil Corruption
►	Ógra Fianna Fáil
►	Further Reading
►	See also
►	External Link

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