Garret FitzGerald

Dr. Garret FitzGerald (Irish name: Gearóid MacGearailt) (born February 9, 1926) was the seventh Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; July 1981 to February 1982, and December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála in 1969. He previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1973 to 1977. FitzGerald was the leader of Fine Gael between 1977 and 1987. He is also the son of Desmond FitzGerald who was the first Minister for External Affairs of the new Irish state. At present FitzGerald is the Chancellor of the National University of Ireland. He is credited as being the most successful leader of the modern Fine Gael party.

Post-Taoiseach Period

FitzGerald retired as leader of Fine Gael immediately after the general election to be replaced by Alan Dukes. His wife died in the 1990s after many years of a crippling illness, and his autobiography, "All in a Life," appeared in 1991, immediately becoming a best-seller. He retired completely from politics in 1992. Since then he has written a popular weekly column every Saturday in The Irish Times, and lectures widely at home and abroad on public affairs. He came out of retirement to campaign for a yes vote in the second Nice referendum, held in 2002.

Related Topics:
Alan Dukes - The Irish Times - Nice

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~