103-539: Albert Reynolds Fianna Fáil Albert Reynolds Fianna Fáil The 1992 Irish general election to the 27th Dáil was held on Wednesday, 25 November, almost three weeks after the dissolution of the 26th Dáil on 5 November by President Mary Robinson , on the request of Taoiseach Albert Reynolds following a defeat of the government in a motion of confidence . The general election took place in 41 Dáil constituencies throughout Ireland for 166 seats in Dáil Éireann ,
206-414: A Rainbow Coalition . Reynolds remained acting Taoiseach until John Bruton took office on 15 December and then returned to the opposition backbenches. On 4 February 1995, Reynolds was interviewed at length by Andrew Neil for his one-on-one interview show Is This Your Life? , made by Open Media for Channel 4. At the beginning of 1997, Bertie Ahern allegedly encouraged Reynolds to run for office in
309-649: A Teachta Dála (TD) for Longford–Roscommon from 1977 to 1992 and for Longford–Westmeath from 1992 to 2002. During his first term as Taoiseach, he led a Fianna Fáil– Progressive Democrats coalition. In his second term, he was head of a coalition between Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party . Albert Martin Reynolds was born in Kilglas, near Roosky , on the County Roscommon – Leitrim border on 3 November 1932. His father
412-577: A by-election victory in November 2010 and by opinion polls which placed it ahead of Fianna Fáil. Some other left-wing groups, including People Before Profit , Workers and Unemployed Action and the Socialist Party , contested the general election under a joint banner, the United Left Alliance . Fianna Fáil was swept from power in the worst defeat of a sitting government since the formation of
515-470: A "Rainbow Coalition" came to power, Dick Spring of the Labour Party was seen as a better potential Taoiseach than Bruton. The possibility of a rotating Taoiseach was also hinted at in the media. The big winner of the campaign was Dick Spring and the Labour Party. They distanced themselves completely from Fine Gael and fought an independent line. During the campaign Spring made very little comment about what
618-567: A 20-seat parliamentary majority, resulting in Jack Lynch returning as Taoiseach . Reynolds remained a backbencher until 1979. Pressure mounted that year on Lynch, the incumbent Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader , to step down. Reynolds became a member of the so-called "gang of five" politicians of a strong rural background, with Jackie Fahey (Tipperary), Mark Killilea Jnr (Galway), Tom McEllistrim (Kerry) and Seán Doherty (Roscommon), which aligned itself to Charles Haughey and supported him in
721-443: A Dáil dissolution on 1 February, after the finance bill cleared parliament. In accordance with Irish constitutional practice (no Irish president has ever refused such a request), McAleese granted the dissolution. As usual, certain offshore islands voted earlier than the rest of the country. Voters on Arranmore , Clare Island , Gola , Inishbiggle , Inishbofin ( County Donegal ), Inishfree, Inishturk and Tory Island headed to
824-420: A Fine Gael-Labour-Democratic Left majority government possible. This was the first and to date, the only, time a new government with new coalition parties took office within a Dáil term. The following changes took place as a result of the election: Outgoing TDs are listed in the constituency they contested in the election. For some, such as John Stafford , this differs from the constituency they represented in
927-522: A TD; he was quoted in 2007 to state: "I don't bear any grudges over Ahern". Reynolds was involved in a long-running libel action against British newspaper The Sunday Times over an article published in 1994, which alleged that Reynolds had deliberately and dishonestly misled the Dáil regarding matters in connection with the Brendan Smyth affair that brought down the coalition government. The newspaper claimed
1030-532: A cabinet meeting, the Taoiseach (Ahern) gave a typically ambiguous speech which seemed to encourage his cabinet to support McAleese. Reynolds won the first round of voting with a comfortable margin. Still, supporters of O'Kennedy backed McAleese, who was successful and became the Fianna Fáil nominee and the eighth president of Ireland. Reynolds retired from politics at the 2002 general election , after 25 years as
1133-497: A coalition with the four-year-old free-market-centric Progressive Democrats (PD). Reynolds headed the Fianna Fáil negotiation team with another minister, Bertie Ahern . A programme for government was finally agreed upon almost a month after the general election, and Reynolds returned as Minister for Finance in a coalition government that he described as a "temporary little arrangement". The failure of Fianna Fáil candidate Brian Lenihan to be elected as President of Ireland added to
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#17330925318921236-488: A comment on his show that Kenny "should go into a dark room with a gun and bottle of whiskey". Browne has since apologised for the remark, and said he would step aside as moderator of the TV3 three-way leaders' debate if Kenny agreed to take part. Responding to TV3's offer to replace Browne as moderator, Kenny stated that a clash in his schedule meant he was unable to take part in the debate. In negotiations, TV3 proposed following
1339-890: A consequence made an important contribution to the development of the peace process which eventually lead to the Good Friday Agreement . The funeral was held at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook , on 25 August 2014. It was attended by President Michael D. Higgins , Taoiseach Enda Kenny, former British prime minister John Major, former SDLP leader John Hume, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams , Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers , former president Mary McAleese, former Taoisigh Liam Cosgrave , John Bruton, Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and
1442-492: A defence of qualified privilege concerning these assertions based on their supposed benefit to the public, but a High Court jury found in favour of Reynolds in 1996. The jury recommended that no compensation be paid to the former Taoiseach. The judge subsequently awarded contemptuous damages of one penny in this action, leaving Reynolds with massive legal costs, estimated at £1 million. A subsequent court of appeal decision in 1998 declared that Reynolds had not received
1545-544: A fair hearing in his High Court action. The case continued to be heard in the House of Lords . This case led to the recognition under British law (and later introduction into Irish law as the "defence of fair and reasonable publication" ) of the so-called Reynolds defence of qualified privilege for publishers against whom libel actions regarding defamatory comments made in media publications are being taken. In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf became President of Pakistan following
1648-455: A general election for members of Dáil Éireann must take place not later than thirty days after the dissolution. The next general election had to, therefore, take place no later than 14 July 2012. The current statutory framework for the setting of a date for polling day in the general election was set out in the Electoral Act 1992, as amended. Section 96 of the Electoral Act 1992 requires that
1751-452: A loose alliance dubbed "Democracy Now" to reform the political system and replace the IMF bailout agreement with a structured debt default. O'Toole wrote on 29 January that, once the election date was brought forward from late March, "the risk of going off half-cocked seemed to outweigh the hope of making a difference", and the plan was abandoned. The Evening Herald reported that "almost half of
1854-417: A majority of their councillors left the party when the motion failed to be passed and formed Democratic Left in early 1992. Many political pundits had predicted that Fianna Fáil would not be re-elected and that a "Rainbow Coalition" involving Fine Gael, the Labour Party and possibly Democratic Left would be formed. John Bruton, the leader of Fine Gael, had problems of his own. Opinion polls showed that if
1957-539: A military coup . At the time, the White House did not recognise governments that came to power through a coup d'état. Business associates asked Reynolds to travel to Pakistan and meet Musharraf. Musharraf asked Reynolds to act as an advisor to him and to contact US president Bill Clinton to reassure the White House as to the intentions of the new government of Pakistan. Reynolds claimed in later interviews that because of
2060-630: A policy statement. On 9 June 1994, Fianna Fáil lost two seats in the Mayo West by-election and the Dublin South-Central by-election to the opposition Fine Gael and Democratic Left , placing Reynolds under pressure, as he could no longer depend on Spring to remain in government. The report on the Beef Tribunal was published in July 1994. The Labour Party had threatened to leave the government if Reynolds
2163-467: A result of the coalition, Albert Reynolds was elected Taoiseach with over 100 votes, the biggest majority by any Taoiseach until 2011 . Following a number of scandals in 1994, particularly over the beef industry, the Labour Party left the coalition and, after negotiations, formed the Rainbow Coalition with Fine Gael and Democratic Left on 15 December 1994, as three by-election gains had by then made
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#17330925318922266-531: A serial child abuser priest, Brendan Smyth , due to the implications that such an action concerned the accountability of certain prominent members of the Catholic hierarchy . It was later revealed that Whelehan, in his capacity as Attorney General (AG), had mishandled an attempt to extradite Smyth to Northern Ireland, where he was facing criminal charges. This was covered on the British television station Channel 4 , which
2369-576: A series of debates between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party should take place on RTÉ , TV3 and a debate in Irish on TG4 . This proposal was accepted by the Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore . On 27 January, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny proposed a five-way debate which was also to include Sinn Féin and the Green Party. Kenny refused to take part in any debate that would involve TV3 news broadcaster Vincent Browne . In September 2010, Browne had made
2472-402: A substantial donation. O'Callaghan was then heavily lobbying for state support for a stadium project at Neilstown , County Dublin. According to the report, O'Callaghan felt compelled to donate a sum of IR£ 80,000 to Fianna Fáil to get funding for the stadium. The Mahon Tribunal did not find the payment corrupt. However, the report noted that pressing a businessman to donate money when he
2575-570: The Arms Crisis in 1970, a controversial episode in which two government ministers, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Neil Blaney and Minister for Finance Charles Haughey , were removed from the government over an attempt to send arms to Northern Ireland , where thousands of Catholic families had been driven out of their homes, of whom 1,000 had fled across the border to the Republic of Ireland . Blaney and Haughey were later acquitted in court. In
2678-586: The European Union regional aid budget in the aftermath of the Danish rejection of the Maastricht Treaty . A tribunal of enquiry into irregularities in the beef industry referred to as the " Beef Tribunal ", was established to examine the "unhealthy" relationship between Charles Haughey and beef baron Larry Goodman . This revealed to the public a substantial conflict of opinion between the two party leaders. At
2781-598: The February 1982 general election . Reynolds returned to government as Minister for Industry and Energy . He was responsible for developing the Dublin to Cork gas pipeline. That government fell in late 1982, and Reynolds was back on the opposition benches. During the 1982–83 period, the Fianna Fáil leader, Charles Haughey, faced three no-confidence motions. Reynolds gave him his support at all times, and Haughey stayed in power. In 1987, Fianna Fáil returned to government, and Reynolds
2884-521: The Iraqi regime . The fact that Reynolds seemed prepared to issue risky state-funded export insurance, effectively subsidising the Goodman business empire which now accounted for 12% of national GDP, when the country was in deep recession, shocked the electorate. Support for the party fell by 5%. The Labour Party under Dick Spring ran a campaign independent of its traditional coalition partner Fine Gael . It
2987-612: The Irish financial crisis , the Irish government agreed to a bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund amid fears of a wider Eurozone crisis . The European Financial Stability Facility then offered the government a multibillion-euro deal for its new debt burden. The notion of such a move was widely condemned in Ireland, with The Irish Times criticising Fianna Fáil that despite its "primary aims [to]
3090-460: The Lord Mayor of Dublin , Christy Burke . Other guests included former ministers Charlie McCreevy, Padraig Flynn, Dermot Ahern and Noel Dempsey, fashion designer Louise Kennedy and racehorse owner J. P. McManus . An unexpected visitor from overseas was the frail but vigorous Jean Kennedy Smith , former US ambassador to Ireland , who was the last surviving sibling of John F. Kennedy . Reynolds
3193-583: The Louth constituency at the following Irish general election, in an attempt to retain the seat being vacated by the retirement of Arthur Morgan . A number of election candidates were given formal warnings not to place election posters until the date had been announced. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin stated that the party would not rule out supporting a minority Fine Gael government if its policies were in line with Fianna Fáil's programme for economic recovery. On 31 January 2011 Martin named Mary Hanafin as
1992 Irish general election - Misplaced Pages Continue
3296-572: The New Vision label, eight Christian Solidarity Party candidates, six Workers' Party and five Fís Nua candidates. Voting took place between 07:00 and 22:00 ( WET ). Section 7 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1927 requires that the Dáil be dissolved within five years after its first meeting following the previous election (14 June 2007). Article 16.3.2 of the Constitution of Ireland requires that
3399-542: The Supreme Court found that abortion was permissible where there was a threat to a woman's life from suicide. The case strained relations between the coalition parties. Reynolds tried to find a middle ground but alienated both the Catholic Church and those who sought abortion rights . Three amendments to the constitution on abortion were put to referendum. The wording of the constitutional change caused tensions between
3502-519: The lower house of Ireland 's parliament , the Oireachtas . The Dáil was dissolved and the general election called by President Mary McAleese on 1 February, at the request of Taoiseach Brian Cowen . The 31st Dáil met on 9 March 2011 to nominate a Taoiseach and approve the new ministers of the 29th government of Ireland , a Fine Gael and Labour Party coalition government with a majority of 58. Cowen had previously announced on 20 January that
3605-496: The opposition in Dáil Éireann to complete all stages of passing the finance bill in both houses of the Oireachtas by 29 January—following which the Dáil was to be dissolved immediately. Constitutionally, following a Dáil dissolution, an election must be held within 30 days. Following the collapse of the coalition, the then minority governing party, Fianna Fáil, sought to minimise its losses following historically low poll ratings in
3708-597: The 1960s when dance halls proved to be extremely popular. He invested his money in several businesses, including a pet food company, a bacon factory, a fish exporting operation and a hire purchase company. Reynolds also had business interests in local newspapers and a cinema. He developed a network of business contacts both nationally and internationally. Although his dance hall empire required late-night work, Reynolds abstained from alcohol . Reynolds married Kathleen ( née Coen , 1932–2021) in 1962 and they had seven children. Reynolds became interested in politics during
3811-419: The 20 figures approached by Democracy Now in [late January] were unable to commit to the campaign". Finian McGrath , Catherine Murphy , and Shane Ross , who stood as independents , were also involved in the proposal. The newly registered party Fís Nua announced on 5 February that it was running six candidates in the election, three of whom were former Green Party members. Micheál Martin proposed that
3914-577: The 2007 general election for about eighteen months afterwards, with little change in polling figures. Fianna Fáil enjoyed a small bounce in May 2008 after the election of Brian Cowen to succeed Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach. Fine Gael took the lead in opinion polls after the October 2008 budget, which included tax increases and spending cuts to address the growing financial crisis. A second emergency budget in April 2009 continued
4017-616: The 30th Dáil did not contest the 2011 general election. Vacant seat, deputy had resigned before the dissolution of Dáil Éireann. In four constituencies (Cavan–Monaghan, Cork North-West, Dublin North-West, and Dublin South-Central) Fianna Fáil nominated fewer candidates than it had outgoing TDs, effectively conceding a seat in each. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams (an MP and MLA for Belfast West ) announced on 15 November 2010 that he would resign both these seats and contest
4120-674: The Anglo-Irish agreement of 1993; on 15 December, the Downing Street Declaration was signed in London. Reynolds remained involved in discussions with Northern Ireland's nationalist parties and, along with John Hume , persuaded the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) to call a complete ceasefire on 31 August 1994. Major was quoted at the time as saying: Let me now say something that may surprise you. Throughout
4223-499: The British model, in which the moderator does not ask follow-up questions and does not criticise or comment on the leaders' answers. However, the right of journalist Vincent Browne to "seek factual clarification where necessary" was reserved. It was agreed Browne would sit between Micheál Martin and Eamon Gilmore, and their positions either to the right or left of him were determined by the drawing of lots. Although both Martin and Gilmore had requested that an empty chair be left to represent
1992 Irish general election - Misplaced Pages Continue
4326-490: The Finance Act in return for bringing forward the election date. Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said it could be moved by "a week or two at most". Cowen resigned as Fianna Fáil leader on 22 January, and the Green Party withdrew from government the next day, but promised to support the Finance Act. On 28 January it was announced that Cowen intended to ask McAleese to dissolve the Dáil on 1 February. Cowen formally asked for
4429-450: The Irish state in 1922. The party lost more than half of its first-preference vote from 2007, and garnered only 20 seats. It was the third-largest party in the 31st Dáil; this was the first election since that of September 1927 out of which it did not emerge the largest party in the chamber. The Irish Times , Ireland's newspaper of record , described Fianna Fáil's meltdown as "defeat on a historic scale." Fine Gael won 76 seats, becoming
4532-673: The Minister for Finance Bertie Ahern was unanimously elected the sixth leader of Fianna Fáil. Reynolds's favoured successor, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn , withdrew from the leadership contest on the morning of the vote. It initially appeared that Labour would rejoin the coalition with Fianna Fáil under Ahern, allowing Ahern to ascend to the position of Taoiseach. Instead, when it emerged that Ahern knew more about another case mishandled by Whelehan than previously known, Spring led Labour into successful coalition negotiations with Fine Gael and Democratic Left, and Fianna Fáil found themselves in opposition against
4635-518: The PD leader, that he intended to resign shortly but wanted to choose his own time of departure. O'Malley agreed to this, and the government continued. On 30 January 1992, Haughey retired as leader of Fianna Fáil at a parliamentary party meeting. Reynolds easily defeated his rivals Mary O'Rourke and Michael Woods in the party leadership election and succeeded Haughey as Taoiseach on 11 February 1992. The ministers who had been sacked along with Reynolds at
4738-410: The absence of Kenny, this was ruled out by TV3. A second debate lasting an hour took place on RTÉ on 14 February. The debate was hosted by Pat Kenny and involved leaders of the five main parties; Micheál Martin, Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore, John Gormley and Gerry Adams. The studio audience consisted of 140 undecided voters, six of whom asked pre-set questions. Leaders were given 45 seconds to respond to
4841-562: The coming election and offered him the position of "peace envoy" to Northern Ireland and his support as a candidate for the presidency. Fianna Fáil won the election ; however, Ahern allegedly reneged on this promise to Reynolds due to poor election results in his constituency and the change in the political situation in Northern Ireland. Reynolds was still interested in being a candidate for the presidency, along with two other Fianna Fáil candidates, Michael O'Kennedy and Mary McAleese . In
4944-647: The commitment 'to maintain the status of Ireland as a sovereign State'... The Republican Party's ideals are in tatters now." Following the acceptance of the deal on 21 November 2010, the Green Party leader John Gormley called for the Taoiseach to fix a date for a general election in the second half of January 2011; however, he added that the party would support the coalition for the "coming weeks and months". The Labour Party and Fine Gael called for an immediate election in order to seek "political certainty." On 22 November 2010, Taoiseach Brian Cowen indicated that
5047-421: The downward trend in the popularity of the government parties, with Labour now capturing the gains from disaffected Fianna Fáil supporters. Two polls in the first half of 2009 showed Fianna Fáil coming third, behind both Fine Gael and Labour. Most polls between the 2009 local elections and the summer of 2010 showed Fine Gael far ahead in first place, around the mid-30s, with Fianna Fáil in the mid-20s and Labour in
5150-556: The election would be held on 11 March, and that after the 2011 budget had been passed he would seek a dissolution of the 30th Dáil by the President. However, the Green Party , the junior party in coalition government with Cowen's Fianna Fáil , withdrew from government on 23 January, stating that it would support only a truncated finance bill from the opposition benches, in order to force an earlier election. On 24 January, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan Jnr reached an agreement with
5253-400: The election would take place in early 2011 after the 2011 budgetary process (a prerequisite to the bailout) had been completed. There were fears that calling the election could trigger another credit downgrade. On 16 January Cowen announced his decision to stay on as Taoiseach and to lead Fianna Fáil into the general election. On 18 January he called for and won a vote of confidence within
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#17330925318925356-538: The election. The United Left Alliance was set up on 25 November 2010, announcing it would field twenty candidates in the election. The group consisted of People Before Profit , the Socialist Party and the Tipperary South -based Workers and Unemployed Action . However, the group failed to get its name mentioned on the ballot. A number of public figures, including journalists Fintan O'Toole , David McWilliams and Eamon Dunphy , discussed standing as members of
5459-674: The election. In November 2010, the EU/IMF rescue, followed by an historic defeat at the Donegal South-West by-election , marked a new period in opinion polling. Fianna Fáil and the Green Party fell to unprecedented lows, with improvements for Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and independent candidates, and a decline in Labour's position. Fine Gael took a strong lead in polling, with Labour safely in second place, while Fianna Fáil struggled to maintain third place, just ahead of Sinn Féin and independents, all polling in
5562-716: The end of 1991 were all appointed to cabinet, while eight members of Haughey's cabinet, including such long-serving Haughey loyalists as Ray Burke , Mary O'Rourke and Gerry Collins , were left out. Nine of the twelve junior ministers , many of whom were also Haughey supporters, were also dismissed. Reynolds promoted several long-time critics of Haughey, like David Andrews , Séamus Brennan and Charlie McCreevy , to senior ministerial positions. Reynolds also promoted younger TDs from rural constituencies, such as Noel Dempsey and Brian Cowen , to cabinet positions. One of Haughey's oldest political allies, Bertie Ahern, remained Minister for Finance, agreeing with Reynolds not to challenge him for
5665-523: The finance spokesman in addition to being Finance Minister. In early February, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet told political parties to go ahead with the terms of the EU-IMF financial bailout plan. This came despite Fine Gael and Labour saying they would like to see a renegotiation of some of the key elements of the deal. Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore asked voters to choose between " Frankfurt's Way or Labour's Way ". Micheál Martin
5768-526: The government jet make an additional and unscheduled five-hour stopover in the Bahamas . Reynolds received annual pension payments of €149,740. In July 2008, it was reported that Reynolds was medically unfit to give evidence at the Mahon Tribunal because of "significant cognitive impairment". Reynolds had on several previous occasions been due to give evidence concerning payments he allegedly received when he
5871-547: The government. Reynolds then sought a dissolution of the Dáil from the president, Mary Robinson . A general election was then called. The 1992 general election campaign was a disaster for Fianna Fáil. The world was in recession , the Haughey era was a recent memory, and the Gulf War dominated international news, with Saddam Hussein in the news at the same time as the Beef Tribunal was discussing Reynolds's attempts to sell beef to
5974-474: The house of representatives of the Oireachtas , under a revision in the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1990 . Three referendums on abortion were held on the same date. The 27th Dáil met at Leinster House on 14 December 1992 to nominate the Taoiseach for appointment by the president and to approve the appointment of a new government of Ireland . No government was formed on that date, but on 12 January 1993, Reynolds
6077-617: The incompetent handling of the case by the AG's office, he would not have appointed Whelehan to the judicial post. However, Reynolds was damaged politically, appearing more interested in holding on to power than in the integrity of government actions. Spring decided he could not go back into government with Reynolds, and led the Labour Party out of the coalition on 16 November 1994. It was apparent that Reynolds no longer had enough support to govern, so he resigned as Taoiseach on 17 November 1994. On 19 November 1994, Reynolds resigned as party leader, and
6180-451: The largest party in the Dáil for the first time in its 78-year history, while the Labour Party became the second-largest party, with 37 seats; Sinn Féin also increased its number of seats, while the Greens lost all of theirs. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny became Taoiseach, in a coalition with Labour. Following the bailout of Irish banks and the deteriorating level of state debt that led to
6283-515: The leadership. On Reynolds's first day as Taoiseach, he had to deal with the "X Case", a constitutional case on whether a 14-year-old who had become pregnant as a result of rape could access abortion . The Attorney General , Harry Whelehan , refused to allow the pregnant girl to travel to the United Kingdom for an abortion. The High Court granted the Attorney General's injunction, while
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#17330925318926386-534: The left, the Labour Party had increased their support in the local elections the previous year and many were predicting major gains for the party in the Dáil. The Workers' Party had split at a special convention that year over a motion to re-constitute the party, similar to the move made the same year by the Italian Communist Party , and sever all links with the Official IRA . Six out of their seven TDs and
6489-539: The low 20s. An Irish Times poll on 11 June 2010 gave Labour an unprecedented 32%, ahead of Fine Gael on 28% and Fianna Fáil on 17%. This surprise result was followed by the unsuccessful leadership challenge by Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton against Enda Kenny; a period of instability followed, during which Labour challenged Fine Gael for first place in the polls. As the economic crisis continued to worsen in late 2010, Fianna Fáil fell below 20% support, and did not recover from this in any opinion polls taken before
6592-535: The low teens. As the election campaign began in February, Fine Gael enjoyed a surge at the expense of the other parties. Results in the high 30s suggested that Fine Gael could form a government on its own, rather than with its traditional coalition partners in the Labour Party. However, the exit poll taken on election night, and the subsequent results on the following days, showed an eleventh-hour fall in Fine Gael support to
6695-678: The mid-30s, the benefits of which seemed to accrue to Fianna Fáil and Independents. Polling for parliamentary represented parties is as such: The United Left Alliance (ULA) won 59,423 votes (2.7%) and five seats. The ULA comprised the Socialist Party , the People Before Profit Alliance , the Workers and Unemployed Action and independent candidate Declan Bree (2,284 votes). Independents include New Vision candidates (25,422 votes) and People's Convention candidates (1,512 votes). First preference vote Share of different parties in
6798-444: The motion, and Haughey promptly had them sacked from the cabinet. When the vote was taken, the party reaffirmed its support for Haughey by 55 votes to 22. It looked as though Reynolds's political career was finished. Haughey's victory was short-lived, as a series of political errors would lead to his demise as Taoiseach. Controversy erupted over the attempted appointment of Jim McDaid as Minister for Defence , and McDaid resigned from
6901-519: The new deputy leader, while the government chief whip John Curran was named as justice spokesman. Barry Andrews was appointed as health spokesman, Billy Kelleher transport, Peter Power foreign affairs and trade, and Niall Collins defence. He also appointed Willie O'Dea , a former Minister of Defence who had resigned in February 2010 after committing perjury in front of the High Court , as communications spokesperson. Brian Lenihan would continue as
7004-545: The outgoing Dáil. Where more than one change took place in a constituency the concept of successor is an approximation for presentation only. The Dáil election was followed in early 1993 by the election to the 20th Seanad . Albert Reynolds Albert Martin Reynolds (3 November 1932 – 21 August 2014) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1992 to 1994. He held cabinet positions between 1979 and 1991, including as minister for finance from 1988 to 1991. He served as
7107-475: The party (which had been precipitated by revelations of two previously undisclosed meetings with Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán FitzPatrick ) with a majority of the 71 Fianna Fáil deputies supporting him. Despite saying he would offer Cowen "full support", Foreign Minister Micheál Martin resigned. However, following criticism within his party after his failed attempt to carry out a reshuffle of Fianna Fáil ministers, Cowen announced his resignation as leader of
7210-574: The party on 22 January. He confirmed he would remain as Taoiseach until after the election. The key dates were: Ireland uses proportional representation with a single transferable vote , also known as PR–STV. The general election took place in 43 parliamentary constituencies throughout the state for 165 of the 166 seats in the Dáil , with the final seat taken by the outgoing Ceann Comhairle (chairman), returned automatically. Each multi-member constituency returns three, four or five Teachtaí Dála (Dáil deputies). The closing date for nominations
7313-600: The party would do after the election, however, he did say that if the Labour Party was part of a coalition he would have to be granted a turn as Taoiseach. The election also saw Moosajee Bhamjee (Labour Party) become the first Muslim Teachta Dála (TD). In 1989 the Democratic Socialist Party won 0.6% of the vote and 1 seat; the party merged with the Labour Party in 1990. Independents include Independent Fianna Fáil (5,248 votes, 1 seat). Fianna Fáil had its worst performance since 1927, winning less than 40% of
7416-460: The poll is held, not earlier than the seventeenth day or later than the twenty-fifth day, following the day on which the Dáil is formally dissolved by the President. The writs for the election are issued by the Clerk of the Dáil on the day the Dáil is dissolved. Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin said the general election was likely to take place in mid-March 2011. Batt O'Keeffe ,
7519-453: The polls on 23 February; voters on the Aran Islands and Inishbofin ( County Galway ) cast their ballots on 24 February. The number of TDs elected and the number of constituencies contested remained the same as for the previous general election, though there were substantial boundary changes. Boundary changes were also made in twenty other constituencies. The following 39 members of
7622-451: The post before he was appointed. Worse was to follow when Seán Doherty, the man who as Minister for Justice had taken the blame for the phone-tapping scandal of the early 1980s, went on television on RTÉ to reveal that Haughey had known about and authorised the phone-tapping. Haughey denied all charges, but the PD government members stated that they could no longer continue in government with him as Taoiseach. Haughey told Desmond O'Malley ,
7725-460: The pressure on Haughey's leadership. In a speech in County Cork , Reynolds announced that if a vacancy arose in the leadership, he would contest it—a clear and open revolt against Haughey's leadership. Several TDs and senators, including some cabinet members, also began to grow disillusioned with Haughey, and they began to look for a successor. Reynolds was the most popular: his profile was enhanced by
7828-579: The process, I was acutely conscious that IRA leaders were taking a risk, too: if Albert and I upset our supporters we might – as Albert put it, be 'kicked out'. That was true, but the IRA's supporters were more deadly than our backbench colleagues. And their leaders were taking a risk too, possibly with their own lives. In September 1994, Reynolds was left standing on the tarmac at Shannon Airport by Russian president Boris Yeltsin , who failed to emerge from his plane to meet awaiting Irish dignitaries. Headlines around
7931-486: The question with efforts made to confine contributions to 45 seconds during the "free debate". The third debate took place on TG4 in Irish, the first debate to take place in the Irish language . The fourth and final debate took place on RTÉ on 22 February. The final debate was watched by an average television audience of 800,000 people. The following people were appointed by their parties to act as their director of elections: The parties maintained their results from
8034-427: The resignation of six cabinet ministers, it became clear that the Green Party would not allow him to fill the vacancies. He subsequently announced that the election for the 31st Dáil would take place on 11 March. Motions of no confidence in the outgoing government were tabled by Fine Gael for 25 January and by the Labour Party for 26 January; both parties said they would be willing to give the government time to expedite
8137-416: The so-called "Country & Western" group of TDs (so named because they came from mostly rural counties, as well as Reynolds's earlier fortune in the dance hall business) who began to agitate within the party on his behalf. In November 1991, a relatively unknown rural TD, Seán Power , put down a motion of no confidence in Haughey. Reynolds and a staunch supporter, Pádraig Flynn , announced their support for
8240-480: The start of the campaign, buoyed by record poll ratings in preceding months, was to become the leading partner in government for the first time in the party's 99-year history. The Green Party, having been in coalition with Fianna Fáil during the Government of the 30th Dáil , faced stiff competition for its votes and was expected to lose at least four of its six seats. Sinn Féin was expected to make gains, encouraged by
8343-403: The subsequent leadership contest . Reynolds was rewarded for his staunch loyalty by joining the newly elected Taoiseach Charles Haughey's cabinet as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs . He was appointed Minister for Transport , making his brief one of the largest and most wide-ranging in the government. As Minister for Transport, Reynolds was involved in an incident in which an Aer Lingus plane
8446-402: The then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation , hinted that the election might take place on 25 March. On 19 January the Green Party indicated that they expected the budgetary process to be completed by the end of February, and that the election should be held no later than the end of March. Brian Cowen attempted a reshuffle of his party's ministers on 20 January 2011. However, following
8549-464: The tribunal, Desmond O'Malley severely criticised Reynolds, in his capacity as Minister for Industry and Commerce, for an export credit scheme. When Reynolds gave evidence, he referred to O'Malley as "dishonest". This enraged the Progressive Democrats' leader; his party called a motion of no confidence, which resulted in the Progressive Democrats withdrawing from government and the collapse of
8652-546: The trust built with Musharraf, he would be asked to arrange peace talks between India and Pakistan . These talks started in early 2001 but were interrupted by the 9/11 attacks , after which Musharraf could not contact the White House. He called Reynolds, who called former president Clinton, who quickly reached his successor George W. Bush to communicate the Pakistani position. In 1993, Reynolds and Bertie Ahern, then Minister for Finance, wrote to developer Owen O'Callaghan seeking
8755-468: The two government parties. Still, the government remained intact as the amendments passed through the Oireachtas . They were held on the same date as the 1992 general election . The first proposal was defeated, which would have excluded the risk of suicide from circumstances where abortion was permissible, while proposals to allow travel outside the state and access to information were approved. Reynolds negotiated considerable benefits for Ireland from
8858-608: The vote. Fine Gael, in spite of predictions of success, lost 10 seats. The Labour Party recorded its best ever result, an event dubbed the "Spring Tide" and more than doubled its number of seats. Talks between Fine Gael and Labour on establishing a minority government floundered after several weeks, partly over the issue of the "revolving Taoiseach". Spring had to enter into coalition with Fianna Fáil, or force another election. The coalition deal proved very unpopular with many of Labour's supporters, because Dick Spring had campaigned heavily against Fianna Fáil and particularly Albert Reynolds. As
8961-420: The wake of the Irish financial crisis . Fine Gael sought to gain a dominant position in Irish politics after poor results in the 2000s, and to replace Fianna Fáil for the first time as the largest party in Dáil Éireann. The Labour Party hoped to make gains from both sides, and was widely expected to become the second-largest party and to enter into coalition government with Fine Gael; its highest ambition at
9064-470: The wake of this case, Reynolds launched a political career from his background as a successful west Ireland businessman. However, at 44 years of age when first an electoral candidate, he was considered a late starter. He stood for Fianna Fáil at the 1977 general election for the Longford–Westmeath constituency. The election proved to be a landslide victory for Fianna Fáil, with the party receiving
9167-479: The way for the IRA ceasefire and all the positives which have flowed from the peace process for people North and South. So much of this achievement has its roots in Albert's courage, perseverance and his commitment to democratic politics. The Archbishop of Dublin, who attended the service, commented on Reynolds's determined character: In his life, in his responsibility for the political and economic destiny of those he
9270-497: The world alleged that Yeltsin was too drunk to appear; a Russian official said that he was unwell and aides later suggested that he had had a heart attack. Yeltsin later announced that he had overslept. Reynolds had decided to reappoint Attorney General Harry Whelehan when the government was formed in 1992. When the position of President of the High Court became available, Reynolds proposed Whelehan. At this stage, allegations surfaced that Whelehan had been less than keen to prosecute
9373-416: Was 9 February 2011. A total of 566 candidates contested the election, nearly 100 more than the 2007 general election . The number of candidates per party was: Fine Gael (104), Fianna Fáil (75), Labour Party (68), Green Party (43), Sinn Féin (41), and Independents and smaller parties (233). The latter figure includes 20 candidates affiliated to the United Left Alliance , 20 independents who ran under
9476-544: Was Fianna Fáil's worst election result since 1927, losing nine seats. Fine Gael lost ten seats, while the Labour Party had its best result, with 33 seats. In January 1993, Fianna Fáil and Labour formed a government with Reynolds as Taoiseach and Spring as Tánaiste . In 1993, Reynolds's Minister of Finance, Bertie Ahern, issued a tax amnesty for people who had outstanding tax bills unpaid and undeclared, provided they made some declaration of their previous income. This created considerable media disquiet and provoked Spring to make
9579-475: Was Taoiseach. In December 2013, it was revealed by his son that Reynolds was in the last stages of Alzheimer's disease . Reynolds died on 21 August 2014. The last politician to visit him was former British prime minister Sir John Major , a close friend of Reynolds. The serving Taoiseach, Enda Kenny of Fine Gael, said at the time: As Taoiseach he played an important part in bringing together differing strands of political opinion in Northern Ireland and as
9682-518: Was a carpenter and coachbuilder . In reference to his background, Reynolds's political enemies would call him a " country bumpkin ". He was educated at Summerhill College in Sligo , and found work as a clerk with CIÉ , the state transport service, in the 1950s. Reynolds left what many would consider being a "job for life" in the state company and moved into the showband scene, coming to own several dance halls in his local area. He became wealthy during
9785-422: Was appointed Minister for Industry and Commerce , one of the most senior positions in the cabinet, especially in a time when the government's top priority was economic recovery. In 1988, the Minister for Finance Ray MacSharry became Ireland's European Commissioner , and Reynolds succeeded MacSharry in the position. The 1989 general election resulted in Fianna Fáil taking the unprecedented move of entering into
9888-457: Was buried at Shanganagh Cemetery with full military honours. His successor as Fianna Fáil leader, Bertie Ahern, who as Taoiseach was one of the negotiators of peace in Northern Ireland and had long been a political ally and friend, said on Reynolds's death: I am deeply saddened to learn today of the death of Albert Reynolds. He was not afraid to take political risks to further the path of reconciliation. The Downing Street Declaration paved
9991-551: Was called to serve, Albert Reynolds was responsive and creative and determined in his desire to move forward in the search for peace and for a more just, secure and prosperous society. Former Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen expressed his sadness at the passing of their "close personal friend". 2011 Irish general election Brian Cowen Fianna Fáil Enda Kenny Fine Gael The 2011 Irish general election took place on Friday 25 February to elect 166 Teachtaí Dála across 43 constituencies to Dáil Éireann ,
10094-487: Was criticised. Reynolds was alleged to have juxtaposed and misquoted sections of the report in issuing a rebuttal before the report became public. Spring was furious that the report was not considered by the cabinet first. One of Reynolds's main achievements during his term as Taoiseach was in the peace process in the long-running conflict in Northern Ireland . Piecemeal negotiations had gone on during 1993 between Reynolds and British prime minister John Major , resulting in
10197-514: Was hijacked by a disturbed former monk, with the hijacker's chief demand for the safe return of the aircraft and its passengers being that he should be allowed to reveal a religious secret, the Third Secret of Fatima , which he claimed to have in his briefcase. The incident was resolved in Paris with no injuries. Fianna Fáil lost power following the 1981 general election but regained it again following
10300-720: Was involved in an alleged racist gaffe, mocking a Chinese accent while speaking on his party's innovation proposals at the Dublin Web Summit. During the campaign, there were numerous reports of infighting between Fianna Fáil candidates Peter Power and Willie O'Dea in Limerick City , Cyprian Brady and Mary Fitzpatrick in Dublin Central , and Mary Hanafin and Barry Andrews in Dún Laoghaire . A number of parties and political alliances were set up in order to contest
10403-796: Was re-appointed Taoiseach, forming the 23rd government of Ireland , a coalition government of Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party . The general election of 1992 was precipitated by the collapse of the Fianna Fáil – Progressive Democrats coalition government. Allegations of dishonesty at the Beef Tribunal forced Desmond O'Malley and his party to part ways with Albert Reynolds 's Fianna Fáil. Both Albert Reynolds and John Bruton of Fine Gael were fighting their first general election as leader of their respective parties. For Reynolds it would be his only election as leader. The campaign went very poorly for Fianna Fáil with Reynolds's support dropping by 20%. On
10506-475: Was seeking support for a commercial project was "entirely inappropriate, and was an abuse of political power and government authority". In November 2007, it was alleged at the Mahon Tribunal that Reynolds, while on government business in New York, collected a substantial sum of money for his Fianna Fáil party that did not get fully credited to the party. On the same trip, it emerged in the tribunal that Reynolds had
10609-437: Was seen across most of Ireland. RTÉ stood mute, while Irish newspapers were effectively talking around the issue for fear of action for libel . Spring led his ministers out of a cabinet meeting to consider the position of the Labour Party. The coalition appeared to be finished, but Reynolds still held out for the chance to patch things up. Reynolds went before the Dáil and said that if he had known "then" what he "knew now" about
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