HISTORY OF FIANNA FÁIL
In response to the signing of the Boundary Agreement between Great Britain and Ireland in December 1925, an extraordinary meeting of Sinn Féin was held in March 1926 to discuss the future of the party. Failing to get an agreement, Eamon de Valera resigned as leader of Sinn Féin and took rapid steps to establish a new national movement. On 16 May 1926, the inaugural meeting of Fianna Fáil was held in La Scala theatre in Dublin. Among the founding members were Seán Lemass, Gerry Boland, Countess Markievicz and Frank Aiken.
The new party set about building up the organisation with gusto, focusing initially on reorganising a large portion of the population which had become disenfranchised and disillusioned with politicians who failed to represent
their views. In August 1927, Fianna Fáil Deputies ended the policy of abstentionism and took their seats in Dáil Éireann. This resulted in a forceful and robust opposition to monitor and challenge the actions of the Cummann na nGaedheal government.
their views. In August 1927, Fianna Fáil Deputies ended the policy of abstentionism and took their seats in Dáil Éireann. This resulted in a forceful and robust opposition to monitor and challenge the actions of the Cummann na nGaedheal government.
In March 1932, Fianna Fáil formed its first government and embarked on what was to be a sixteen-year period in office, building an Ireland that reflected the desires of a newly independent country. With de Valera at the helm, the Party introduced a rapid succession of republican policy innovations. In 1932, Fianna Fáil abolished the Oath of Allegiance to the British monarchy. The same administration also withheld land annuities previously being handed over to the British government. In July 1937, the Irish people adopted Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish Constitution, a document that has stood the test of time and is the legal cornerstone of our society to this day. In 1938, the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed. This provided for the
return of the ‘Treaty Ports’ of Cobh, Berehaven and Lough Swilly. The removal of British troops from these facilities, in turn, ensured that Ireland was free to choose her destiny during World War II.
return of the ‘Treaty Ports’ of Cobh, Berehaven and Lough Swilly. The removal of British troops from these facilities, in turn, ensured that Ireland was free to choose her destiny during World War II.
During the war, de Valera pursued a policy of neutrality. De Valera’s policy meant that Ireland was not exposed to the ravages of one of the most cataclysmic conflicts ever recorded.
In 1948, Fianna Fáil was replaced in government by an Inter Party Government led by John A. Costello. Fianna Fáil subsequently retuned to power in 1951 and set about reforming the public health system, introducing comprehensive welfare supports aimed at mothers and young children. Following an election defeat in 1954, Fianna Fáil quickly regained power in 1957, a position the Party held for sixteen years.
Seán Lemass succeeded Eamon de Valera as leader of the Party and Taoiseach in June 1959. Lemass implemented the 'First Programme for Economic Development’ which made the decisive shift from protectionism to free trade. Grants and tax concessions were given to companies to set up in Ireland. Because of the 'Programme,' the Irish economy grew at a rate of 4% per annum. A second, even more ambitious, 'Programme for Economic Expansion' commenced in 1963.
During his tenure, Lemass extended the hand of friendship to Northern Ireland. On 9 January 1965, the Taoiseach traveled to Stormont in great secrecy for talks with the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Terence O'Neill. In February, O'Neill returned the compliment and visited Dublin. Subsequently meetings between ministers from both sides of the border became more frequent. In November 1966, Seán Lemass announced his retirement from politics and Jack Lynch became the third leader of Fianna Fáil.
The Lynch era was a time of considerable challenges. In 1969, the Troubles engulfed Northern Ireland but Lynch guided the country through these difficult days and ensured unity by peaceful means remained for Fianna Fáil the only way forward. As Taoiseach, Lynch was a strong advocate of Ireland’s entry into the Common Market. On 1st January 1973, Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC). In 1977, Lynch delivered a massive Fianna Fáil victory, winning a 20-seat majority in Dáil Éireann. However, by 1979, Jack Lynch had resigned his position as leader of the Party.
On 11 December 1979, Charles J Haughey was elected leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach. He inherited a country whose economy was being badly hampered by the effects of the oil crisis. In 1981, Fianna Fáil faced a period in opposition. However, just as in the 1950s, the Irish body politic began to shift on loose sands. The Party returned to office for nine months in 1982. However, in December 1982 they were replaced by a Fine Gael - Labour coalition. After a period of opposition, Charles Haughey led Fianna Fáil back into government in 1987. During this period in government, he focused on economic issues and sought to provide a stimulus for recovery. According to any measure, by the time Haughey left office in 1992, the dire state of the Irish economy had improved.
Albert Reynolds was elected leader of Fianna Fáil on 11 February 1992. Following a short-lived coalition with the Progressive Democrats, Reynolds formed a new government with the Labour Party. Reynolds put the Northern Ireland situation at the top of his political agenda. His efforts bore fruit in December 1993 with the signing of the Downing Street Declaration which paved the way for the paramilitary ceasefires of the following year.
On 19 November 1994 Bertie Ahern was elected the sixth leader of Fianna Fáil. Following the 1997 General Election, Ahern formed a coalition government with the Progressive Democrats. Unprecedented economic growth and the restarting of the Northern Ireland peace initiatives, which culminated in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, marked the Taoiseach’s first period in office.
The electorate gave a resounding seal of approval to Bertie Ahern when they returned him to office in 2002. It was the first time that a government was re-elected since 1969. This period of political stability led to continued economic advancement, so much so that the Irish economy under Ahern became an international model for success.
In May 2007 Bertie Ahern led Fianna Fáil to a third successive term in government, in coalition with the Progressive Democrats and the Green Party.
Brian Cowen was elected unopposed as the seventh leader of Fianna Fáil in April 2008, and a month later became Taoiseach.
TIMELINE - HISTORY OF FIANNA FÁIL
• 1926 - Fianna Fáil founded in the La Scala Theatre, O'Connell Street Dublin.
• 1932 - First Fianna Fáil government led by Eamon de Valera elected. Oath of Allegiance abolished.
• 1937 - New constitution enacted in the Irish Free State. The British Monarch is replaced as Head of State by an elected president. The name of the state is changed to Éire (Ireland).
• 1938 - End of British occupation of three naval bases that had been left in British hands by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921.
• 1939 - The Emergency - Ireland remains neutral.
• 1958 - Programme for economic expansion published - establishes a five year plan of public investment with a target of 2% economic growth per annum.
• 1959 - Eamon de Valera resigns as leader of Fianna Fáil and is replaced by Seán Lemass TD.
• 1959 - Fianna Fáil under Lemass built up the country's industry behind a tariff wall and promoted State boards to develop turf resources (Bord na Móna) and to provide Ireland with a national airline (Aer Lingus) and shipping company (Irish Shipping).
• 1973 - Republic of Ireland joins European Economic Community.
• 1977 - Fianna Fáil gains a large majority in the General Election.
• 1979 - Charles J Haughey succeeds Jack Lynch as Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil.
• 1985 - Anglo-Irish Agreement signed.
• 1987 - Charles J Haughey elected Taoiseach.
• 1989 - Fianna Fáil enters First Coalition Government with Progressive Democrats.
• 1992 - Albert Reynolds succeeds Charles Haughey as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. The Treaty on the European Union (also known as the Maastricht Treaty) passes the referendum hurdle (voters approved another change to article 29 of the Constitution).
• 1994 - Bertie Ahern succeeds Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. The IRA call a historic ceasefire.
• 1997 - Fianna Fáil wins General Election.
• 1998 - Irish and UK governments sign the Good Friday Agreement.
• 2002 - Bertie Ahern led Fianna Fáil Government win General Election.
• 2004 - Under the Irish Presidency of the European Union, the accession of ten new member states takes place. A new European Constitution is also negotiated under the stewardship of Bertie Ahern.
• 2007 - Fianna Fáil Government under the leadership of Bertie Ahern wins General Election
• 2008 - Brian Cowen succeeds Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil.
FIANNA FÁIL TAOISIGH
EAMON DE VALERA
The Fianna Fáil Party evolved from Ireland’s struggle for independence. Eamon de Valera founded Fianna Fáil on 23 March 1926. The Party’s name, Fianna Fáil - the Republican Party, was adopted on 2nd April 1926.
Born in 1882 in New York, but brought up in Limerick, Eamon de Valera studied mathematics at the Royal University. In 1908 he joined the Gaelic League and remained dedicated to the Irish language...Read More.
SEÁN LEMASS
Seán Lemass was an exceptionally able and dedicated politician who was a dynamic patriot of great force and a political giant of 20th century Irish history. The Irish Times editorial upon his death in 1971 described him as a "supreme pragmatist".
Born in Dublin in 1899, at fifteen years of age Lemass joined the Volunteers. He fought in the GPO in the Easter Rising of 1916 and was in the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence...Read More.
JACK LYNCH
Jack Lynch became leader of Fianna Fáil in November 1966 on the resignation of Seán Lemass. Born in Cork city in 1917, Lynch was a civil servant in the Department of Justice before he was called to the Bar. He became a practicing barrister on the Cork circuit. However, he was famous as a sportsman in the GAA long before he came to political prominence - Lynch won six All-Ireland medals in succession; five in hurling and one in football, with his native county...Read More.
CHARLES HAUGHEY
Charles Haughey became leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach in late 1979. A son-in-law of former Taoiseach Seán Lemass, Charles Haughey was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in Justice, 1960-61, Minister for Justice, 1961-64, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, 1964-66 and Minister for Finance, 1966-70...Read More.
ALBERT REYNOLDS
Albert Reynolds was born in Rooskey, County Roscommon in 1932. He was first elected to the Dáil for the constituency of Longford/Westmeath in 1977.
Without a doubt his greatest achievement was in Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish relations, signing the Downing Street Declaration in 1993. It was Reynolds’ determination that gave impetus to the peace process and the establishment of an IRA ceasefire in 1994...Read More.
BERTIE AHERN
Bertie Ahern became leader of Fianna Fáil in 1994. Born in 1951 in Dublin, both his parents were republican activists during the War of Independence in County Cork. He entered Dáil Éireann in 1977 for Dublin Finglas and soon became known as one of the hardest working constituency workers in the country.
Under Bertie Ahern’s leadership the Celtic Tiger came to fruition, a rapid and sustained period of economic growth with the best growth rates in the European Union, low inflation, low interest rates, record employment and inward investment...Read More.
BRIAN COWEN
Brian Cowen officially became leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach in May 2008. He was first elected as a TD in 1984.
Since 1992 when first appointed to a Ministry, Brian Cowen has developed and honed his managerial competence, leadership skills and effective decision making and judgement in various Departments...Read More.
No comments:
Post a Comment