Charles Haughey

One of the most controversial events during his tenure was the Family Planning Bill, that allowed married people to buy contraceptives with a prescription, calling it "an Irish solution to an Irish problem".

It was also during this period that Lynch began to lose his grasp on the party, the economy faltered and questions were raised about who would succeed him. As well as this a group of backbench TDs began to lobby other TDs in support of Haughey. This group, known as the "gang of five," consisted of Jackie Fahey, Tom McEllistrim, Jr, Seán Doherty, Mark Killilea and Albert Reynolds.

In December 1979 Lynch announced his resignation as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. The leadership contest that resulted was a two-horse race between Haughey and the Tánaiste, George Colley. Colley had the support of the entire Cabinet, with the exception of Michael O'Kennedy, and felt that this popularity would be reflected within the parliamentary party as a whole.

Haughey on the other hand was distrusted by a number of his Cabinet colleagues but was much more respected by new backbenchers who were worried about the safety of their Dáil seats. When the vote was taken Haughey emerged as the victor by a margin of 44 votes to 38, a very clear division within the party. In a conciliatory gesture, Colley was re-appointed as Tánaiste and had a veto over who Haughey would appoint as Ministers for Justice and Defence respectively. However, he was removed from the important position of Minister for Finance.

Nonetheless, on 11 December, 1979, Charles Haughey was elected Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil, almost a decade after the Arms Crisis nearly destroyed his political career.

Taoiseach 1979-1981

...I wish to talk to you this evening about the state of the nation's affairs and the picture I have to paint is not, unfortunately, a very cheerful one. The figures which are just now becoming available to us show one thing very clearly. As a community we are living way beyond our means...we have been living at a rate which is simply not justifiable by the amount of goods and services we are producing. To make up the difference we have been borrowing enormous amounts of money, borrowing at a rate which just cannot continue. A few simple figures will make this very clear...we will just have to reorganise government spending so that we can only undertake those things we can afford...

While Haughey had identified the problem with the economy he did the exact opposite of what he said he would do. He increased public spending, which soon became out of control, and led to increases in borrowing and taxation at an unacceptable level. By 1981 Haughey was still reasonably popular and decided to call a general election. However, the timing of the election was thwarted twice by external events, in particular the hunger strikes of IRA men for political status. The poll was eventually held in June, much later than Haughey wanted. In the hope of winning an overall Dáil majority Haughey's campaign took a populist line with regard to taxation, spending and Northern Ireland. The campaign was enhanced and hyped up by a live debate on RTÉ between Haughey and the Fine Gael leader, Garret FitzGerald, over the major issues. On the day of the vote Fianna Fáil won 45.5%. Failing to secure a majority in the 166-seat Dáil a Fine Gael-Labour Party coalition came to power under FitzGerald and Haughey went into opposition.

It recently came to light that the Allied Irish Bank forgave Haughey £400,000 of a £1,000,000 debt within days of his becoming Taoiseach. No reason was given for this. The Economist obituary on Haughey( June 24, 2006) asserted that he had warned the bank "I can be a very troublesome adversary"

Opposition 1981-1982

FitzGerald's government lasted until January of 1982 when it collapsed due to a controversial budget which proposed to impose a tax on children's shoes. FitzGerald, like all Taoisigh who lose a majority in the Dáil, went to Áras an Uachtaráin to advise President Hillery to dissolve the Dáil and call a general election. However, the night the government collapsed the Fianna Fáil Front Bench issued a statement encouraging the President not to grant the dissolution and to allow Fianna Fáil to form a government. Phone calls were also made to the President from the Fianna Fáil room at Leinster House, something which proved to be hugely controversial because the dissolution of the Dáil is something the President can grant only after consultation with the Taoiseach, certainly not with the opposition parties. In the end, dissolution of the Dáil was granted and a general election was called. The result was inconclusive again, with Fianna Fáil failing to win a majority.

Taoiseach 1982

When Haughey failed to win an overall majority again, questions were raised about his leadership. Some of Haughey's critics in the party suggested that an alternative candidate should stand as the party's nominee for Taoiseach. Desmond O'Malley emerged as the likely alternative candidate and was ready to challenge Haughey for the leadership. However, on the day of the vote O'Malley withdrew and Haughey went forward as the nominee. He engineered a deal with the Socialist TD, Tony Gregory, and three Workers' Party TDs which saw him return as Taoiseach for a second time.

Haughey's second term was dominated by even more economic mismanagement, pursued on the populist line yet again. The issue of his leadership cropped up again when in October the backbench TD, Charlie McCreevy, put down a motion of no-confidence in Haughey. Des O'Malley disagreed with the timing but supported the hasty motion all the same, resigning from the cabinet also. The motion was defeated in an open roll call vote when only 22 anti-Haughey TDs voted against their leader. Not long after this, Haughey's government collapsed when the Workers' Party and Tony Gregory withdrew their support of the government over a document called "The Way Forward," a harsh document which would lead to massive spending cuts. Fianna Fáil lost the election and FitzGerald once again returned as Taoiseach with a comfortable Dáil majority. Haughey found himself back in opposition.

During this time the GUBU Incidents, involving the Attorney General to his Government, occurred in Dublin. At a press-conference on the affair, Haughey described them as "grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented" from which journalist Conor Cruise O'Brien coined the term GUBU.

Opposition 1982-1987

Des O'Malley on the other hand continued the struggle. He was expelled from the parliamentary party in 1984 when he criticised Haughey over his reversal on the New Ireland Forum report. In February 1985, O'Malley was finally expelled from the organisation for refusing to vote with Fianna Fáil against the government's Family Planning Bill. With George Colley dead, O'Malley drummed out of the party, and all other critics silenced, Haughey was finally in full control of Fianna Fáil.

In November 1985 the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed between Garret FitzGerald and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The agreement gave the Republic of Ireland a formal say in Northern Ireland and its affairs. The document was harshly criticised by Haughey, who said that he would re-negotiate it, if re-elected. Fianna Fáil was also hit hard when O'Malley set up his own political party, the Progressive Democrats, in December of 1985. Some members of Fianna Fáil left to join and it looked as if it could take some core support away from Haughey and Fianna Fáil. However, Mary Harney and Bobby Molloy were the only Fianna Fáil TDs to defect and Fianna Fáil returned to normal, united behind Haughey.

FitzGerald called a general election for February 1987. The campaign was dominated by attacks on the government over severe cuts in the budget and the general mismanagement of the economy. When the results were counted Haughey had failed to win an overall majority again for Fianna Fáil. When it came to electing a Taoiseach in the Dáil Haughey's position looked particularly volatile. When it came to a vote the Independent TD Tony Gregory abstained, and Haughey was elected Taoiseach on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle.

Taoiseach 1987-1992

In late April 1989 Haughey returned from a trip to Japan. However, he returned to the news that the government was about to be defeated in a Dáil vote, which would result in Haughey calling a general election. The government was indeed defeated and Haughey, buoyed up by opinion polls which indicated the possibility of winning an overall majority, called a general election for June 15. The calling of the election was one of Haughey's biggest political mistakes. Fianna Fáil ended up losing four seats and the possibility of forming another minority government looked slim. For the first time in history a nominee for Taoiseach failed to achieve a majority when a vote was taken in the Dáil. Constitutionally Haughey was obliged to resign, however he refused to, for a short period. He eventually tendered his resignation to President Hillery and remained on as Taoiseach, albeit in an acting capacity. A full 27 days after the election had taken place a coalition government was formed between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. It was the first time that Fianna Fáil had entered into a coalition, abandoning one of its "core values" in the overwhelming need to form a government.

Haughey was glad to see the end of 1989, however 1990 was to hold more trouble for him. The first half of the year saw Haughey revel in his role as world statesman when he served as President of the European Community, however the Presidential Election proved to be a major headache for Haughey and Fianna Fáil. Brian Lenihan, the hugely popular Tánaiste, was nominated as the party's candidate. However, during the campaign the controversy over the phone calls made to the Áras an Uachtaráin in 1982 urging the President not to dissolve the Dáil resurfaced. Lenihan was accused of calling the President and Haughey was forced to sack him from the government in order to save his own position. Worse was to come when Lenihan failed to be elected President, losing the Fianna Fáil stranglehold on the highest office in Ireland.

In April 1990, Haughey became the first Taoiseach since Lemass to visit Belfast, where he gave a speech to the Institute of Directors. Unsurprisingly, four hundred unionists picketed the conference.

Haughey's grip on political power began to slip in the autumn of 1991. A series of resignations by chairmen of semi-state companies and an open declaration by the Minister for Finance, Albert Reynolds, that he had every intention of standing for the party leadership if Haughey retired. Following a heated parliamentary party meeting, Seán Power, one of Reynolds's supporters put down a motion of no-confidence in Haughey. Reynolds and his supporters were sacked from the government by Haughey, who went on to win the no confidence motion.

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, which saw him resign from the post before he had been officially installed. 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 RTÉ television and said that Haughey had known and authorised the phone-tapping. Haughey denied this, but the Progressive Democrats members of the government stated that they could no longer continue in government with Haughey as Taoiseach. Haughey told Des O'Malley, the PD leader, that he intended to retire shortly but wanted to choose his own time of departure. O'Malley agreed to this and the government continued.

On 30 January, 1992, Haughey officially retired as leader of Fianna Fáil at the parliamentary party meeting. He remained as Taoiseach until 11 February when he was succeeded by the sacked Finance Minister, Albert Reynolds. In his final address to the Dáil he quoted William Butler Yeats and Othello saying, "I have done the state some service, and they know it, no more of that." Haughey now returned to the backbenches before retiring completely from politics at the 1992 General Election. His son, Seán Haughey, was elected at that election in his father's old constituency.

Retirement

In May 1989 one of Haughey's lifelong friends Brian Lenihan, a former government minister, underwent a liver transplant which was partly paid for through fundraising by Haughey. It was alleged by the investigating tribunals that some of the money raised ended up in Haughey's personal bank account. It is notable that Brian Lenihan's son, Conor, has spoken out a number of times in support of Haughey (including most recently on 16th June 2006 at Haughey's funeral which was broadcast on national television).

In May 1999, Terry Keane, gossip columnist and once wife of former Chief Justice, Ronan Keane, revealed on a national TV chat-show, The Late Late Show, that she and Haughey had conducted a 27-year extra-marital affair. In a move that she later announced on the same show that she deeply regretted, Keane confirmed that the man she had been referring to for years in her newspaper column as "sweetie" was indeed Haughey. The revelation on the television programme shocked the audience, including Haughey's son, Sean, who was watching the show. Haughey's wife, Maureen was also said to have been deeply hurt by the circumstances of the revelation.

In May 2003 Haughey, who had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 1995, suffered a serious decline in health and was hospitalised. Family members rushed to Haughey's bedside, but his condition improved again.

In August, 2003 it was revealed that Haughey, facing demands to pay millions of euro in taxation arrears on undeclared gifts, decided to sell his large estate, Abbeville, in Kinsealy in north County Dublin. It was reported that the deal would net Haughey €35 million before tax. The developers who purchased the site plan to turn his home into a hotel and build houses on the surrounding agricultural land, however this plan has run into planning difficulties. At the time of his death, Haughey, continued to own his own private island, Inishvickillane, one of the famed Blasket Islands.

Even in death, Haughey remains a controversial figure and his legacy is very difficult to assess. Although he is considered one of the most efficient and effective cabinet ministers in the history of the state, his murky financial affairs and political misdemeanours have undermined his reputation and undoubted talents.

His rival and former Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald, who one time, described Haughey as having a flawed pedigree, has said that he had the potential to be one of the best Taoisigh the country ever had, however, his preoccupation with wealth and power clouded his judgement. His budget cutting measures after 1987 transformed the economy and paved the way for an unprecedented decade of economic boom and the Celtic Tiger era of the late 1990s.

The people of Dingle, County Kerry, retain a strong affection for him as does the Arts community in Ireland, whose cause he has championed over the years since he gave them a tax-break in recognition of their creativity. People in other niche areas of Irish life also speak very highly of him such as the 'pensioner' sector and people in the burgeoning equine industry.

However, it must also be said that an entire generation has since come of age for whom Haughey, if known at all, would be merely as a figure of history or at worst, oblivion.

It is, however, unlikely that Haughey will become to a "mere" figure or consigned to oblivion by a new generation of people who weren't born during his time at the forefront of Irish politics. His legacy both good and bad is so woven into the fabric of Irish society that he will still be known and discussed as are the deeds of the political leaders of the past such as Éamon de Valera, Michael Collins and Sean Lemass.

Tribunal

On several occasions, Haughey was unable to appear before the Tribunal "due to ill health".

Despite the lengthy Tribunal process it must be noted that although it was proven that Mr Haughey had received up to €9 million from businessmen throughout his political life, no evidence of corruption was found.

No evidence could be unearthed that this money had led to personal favours being granted, meaning that Haughey’s only crime was evasion of taxes for the funds he received. In noting this, however, it is important to bear in mind that Haughey refused to cooperate with the tribunal on several occasions and that the tribunals have not yet concluded their investigations. Having said that, his ailing health meant that on serveal occasions Haughey couldn't answer or defend himself. Whether this is judged as deliberate obstruction or the cause of failing health is for the public to decide for themselves. Many have indeed noted that some of his absences due to professed ill health failed to prevent him making other public appearances or conducting other business affairs.[link]

Charles J Haughey often cited Winston Churchill when asked about his money. Churchill was bankrolled by British aristocrats during his political life. However while Churchill, when receiving money in the 1930s was perceived to be a "finished" politician with no likelihood of senior ministry, much less the premiership, Haughey's opponents point out that Haughey when receiving the money was either the Leader of the Opposition or Taoiseach. It is, however, an interesting and not altogeher unfair comparison.

Death

In June 2006, it was reported that Haughey was gravely ill as a result of the prostate cancer which he had been fighting for some years, and that his family had gathered at his home. He was not expected to be transferred to hospital, and the Irish Independent reported that potential eulogists had been contacted. It also reported arrangements had been made for a state funeral, with a requiem mass in Donnycarney. His condition worsened and he died on June 13, 2006, at 9:50 AM at his home in Kinsealy in North County Dublin with his family at his bedside.

Current Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, announced the former leader's death. He said: "I have learned with great sadness of the death today of the former Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fail, Mr Charles Haughey. It is a very sad occasion, and marks the passing of an era." Mr Ahern also said of Mr Haughey that "history will have to weigh up the credit and the debit side of more dispassionately than may be possible today but I have not doubt its ultimate judgement on Mr. Haughy will be a positive one".

Shortly after the death of Mr Haughey was announced former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald said "He was a man of great administrative ability and formidable political skills", while the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin extended his sympathy to Mr Haughey's family and said "Mr Haughey was a man who engaged the people of Ireland over the last 40 years on the public stage". While President of Ireland Mary McAleese said "A proud man of considerable ability, charm, wit and intelligence, he was a skilled parliamentarian and an innovative legislator."

The journalist Vincent Browne, a long time foe and sometimes friend of Haughey, described him as a colossus of Irish politics and ranking in importance in Irish political history as Éamon de Valera and Michael Collins. Journalist John Bowman said of him that if greatness can be measured by impact on society or politics then great he was.

Funeral

Mr Haughey received a state funeral on June 16, 2006. He was buried in St. Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton in County Dublin following mass at Donnycarney.

The obsequy was screened live on RTÉ One, the main television channel of Ireland's state broadcaster. It was attended by President Mary McAleese, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, members of the government and Oireachtas, many from the world of politics, industry and the professions, past and present, as well as the former constituents and political supporters of the former leader. The mass was celebrated in both English and Irish. The chief celebrant was Charles Haughey's brother, Father Eoghan Haughey. He said that his departed brother was "small in stature, massive in achievement, larger than life". A much larger crowd was expected at the state funeral and indeed has been said by some parts of the media that RTE showed camera shot angles which did not show the church was far from full for the service.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in a graveside oration, stated that "history's judgement will be positive" and that Charles Haughey was a patriot. "I saw him at first-hand". He was a consummate politician. He exhibited grace under pressure. He had an incisive mind, superb parliamentary skills, a proud identity with Ireland, all of Ireland. A profound respect in victory and defeat for our democratic institutions".

The national flag, which had draped Haughey's coffin throughout the obsequy, was formally presented to his widow, Maureen Haughey just prior to interment.

Haughey's first government, December 1979-June 1981

• An Taoiseach: Charles J. Haughey
• An Tánaiste: George Colley
• Minister for Finance: Michael O'Kennedy
• Minister for Foreign Affairs: Brian Lenihan
• Minister for Industry, Commerce & Energy: Desmond O'Malley
• Minister for Justice: Gerard Collins
• Minister for Economic Planning & Development: Michael O'Kennedy
• Minister for Labour: Gene FitzGerald
• Minister for Agriculture: Ray MacSharry
• Minister for Defence: Pádraig Faulkner
• Minister for Education: John P. Wilson
• Minister for the Environment: Sylvester Barret
• Minister for Health & Social Welfare: Michael Woods
• Minister for Posts & Telegraphs: Albert Reynolds
• Minister for Tourism & Transport: George Colley
• Minister for Fisheries & Forestry: Paddy Power
• Minister for the Gaeltacht: Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Political Changes (1)

• 21 January, 1980: Michael O'Kennedy resigns as Minister for Economic Planning & development and becomes the Minister for Energy. The former position is abolished.
• 22 January, 1980: George Colley is appointed Minister for Energy.
• 23 January, 1980: Desmond O'Malley takes on the Transport portfolio as well as retaining the Industry & Commerce portfolio.
• 25 January, 1980: Albert Reynolds takes on the Transport portfolio as well as retaining the Posts & telegraphs portfolio.
• 24 March, 1980: Michael O'Kennedy resigns as Minister for the Public Service. He is replaced by Gene FitzGerald.
• 15 October, 1980: Pádraig Faulkner resigns as Minister for Defence. He is replaced by Sylvester Barret. Ray Burke joins the Cabinet replacing Barret as Minister for the Environment.
• 16 December, 1980: Michael O'Kennedy resigns as Minister for Finance. He is replaced by Gene FitzGerald. Tom Nolan joins the Cabinet replacing FitzGerald as Minister for Labour.

Haughey's second government, March 1982-December 1982

• An Taoiseach: Charles J. Haughey
• An Tánaiste: Ray MacSharry
• Minister for Finance: Ray MacSharry
• Minister for Foreign Affairs: Gerard Collins
• Minister for Trade, Commerce & Tourism: Desmond O'Malley
• Minister for Justice: Seán Doherty
• Minister for Agriculture: Brian Lenihan
• Minister for Defence: Paddy Power
• Minister for Education: Martin O'Donoghue
• Minister for the Environment: Ray Burke
• Minister for Health & Social Welfare: Michael Woods
• Minister for Labour: Gene FitzGerald
• Minister for the Public Service: Gene FitzGerald
• Minister for Posts & Telegraphs: John P. Wilson
• Minister for Transport: John P. Wilson
• Minister for Industry & Energy: Albert Reynolds
• Minister for Fisheries & Forestry: Brendan Daly
• Minister for Gaeltacht: Pádraig Flynn

Political Changes (2)

• 6 October, 1982: Desmond O'Malley resigns as Minister for Industry, Commerce & Tourism, and Martin O'Donoghue resigns as Minister for Education.
• 7 October, 1982: Charles Haughey and Albert Reynolds take on the Education and Trade, Commerce & Tourism portfolios until the new ministers are announced.
• 27 October, 1982: Denis Gallagher joins the Cabinet as Minister for the Gaeltacht. Gerard Brady becomes the new Minister for Education. Pádraig Flynn becomes the Minister for Trade, Commerce & Tourism.

Haughey's third government, March 1987-May 1989

• An Taoiseach: Charles J. Haughey
• An Tánaiste: Brian Lenihan
• Minister for Finance: Ray MacSharry
• Minister for Foreign Affairs: Brian Lenihan
• Minister for Trade & Commerce: Albert Reynolds
• Minister for Justice: Gerard Collins
• Minister for Agriculture: Michael O'Kennedy
• Minister for Communications: John P. Wilson
• Minister for Defence: Michael J. Noonan
• Minister for Education: Mary O'Rourke
• Minister for the Environment: Pádraig Flynn
• Minister for Health: Rory O'Hanlon
• Minister for Labour: Bertie Ahern
• Minister for the Public Service: Ray MacSharry
• Minister for Social Welfare: Michael Woods
• Minister for Energy: Ray Burke
• Minister for Tourism, Fisheries & Forestry: Brendan Daly
• Minister for Gaeltacht: Charles J. Haughey

Political Changes (3)

• 19 March, 1987: The functions of the Minister for the Public Service are transferred to the Minister for Finance.
• 20 March, 1987: The title of the Department of Public Service changes to the Department of Tourism & Transport. Ray MacSharry effectively takes on the Tourism & Transport portfolio. On the same day the title of the Department of Tourism, Fisheries & Forestry changes to the Department of the Marine
• 31 March, 1987: John P. Wilson becomes the new Minister for Tourism & Transport. Ray Burke takes over the Communications portfolio. On the same day the title of the Department of Agriculture changes to the Department of Agriculture & Food.
• 24 November, 1988: Albert Reynolds becomes the new Minister for Finance following Ray MacSharry's departure from the government. Ray Burke takes over as Minister for Industry & Commerce. Michael Smith joins the government as Minister for Energy.

Haughey's fourth government, May 1989-February 1992

• An Taoiseach: Charles J. Haughey
• An Tánaiste: Brian Lenihan
• Minister for Finance: Albert Reynolds
• Minister for Foreign Affairs: Gerard Collins
• Minister for Industry & Commerce: Desmond O'Malley
• Minister for Justice: Ray Burke
• Minister for Agriculture & Food: Michael O'Kennedy
• Minister for Communications: Ray Burke
• Minister for Defence: Brian Lenihan
• Minister for Education: Mary O'Rourke
• Minister for the Environment: Pádraig Flynn
• Minister for Health: Rory O'Hanlon
• Minister for Labour: Bertie Ahern
• Minister for Tourism & Transport: Séamus Brennan
• Minister for Social Welfare: Michael Woods
• Minister for Energy: Bobby Molloy
• Minister for the Marine: John P. Wilson
• Minister for Gaeltacht: Charles J. Haughey

Political Changes (4)

• 31 October, 1990: Brian Lenihan is dismissed as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence.
• 1 November, 1990: Charles Haughey takes over as acting Minister for Defence following the dismissal of Lenihan.
• 13 November, 1990: John P. Wilson becomes Tánaiste following the dismissal of Brian Lenihan.
• 5 February, 1991: Brendan Daly joins the government as Minister for Defence.
• 6 February, 1991: The Department of Communication merges with the Department of Tourism & Transport, creating the Department of Tourism, Transport & Communications. As a result Séamus Brennan takes over the Communications portfolio from Ray Burke.
• 7 November, 1991: Albert Reynolds is dismissed from the Cabinet as Minister for Finance.
• 8 November, 1991: Charles Haughey takes over as acting Minister for Finance following the dismissal of Reynolds. Pádraig Flynn is dismissed as Minister for the Environment.
• 9 November, 1991: John P. Wilson takes on the Environment portfolio on a temporary basis following the dismissal of Flynn.
• 14 November, 1991: A major Cabinet re-shuffle takes place. Bertie Ahern is appointed as the new Minister for Finance, Michael O'Kennedy takes over from Ahern as Minister for Labour, Michael Woods becomes the new Minister for Agriculture & Food, Rory O'Hanlon becomes the new Minister for the Environment, Mary O'Rourke is appointed Minister for Health and Brendan Daly becomes the new Minister for Social Welfare. Two new members join the government: Noel Davern joins as Minister for Education and Vincent Brady joins as Minister for Defence.

Notes

Sources

• Frank Dunlop, Yes Taoiseach: Irish politics from behind closed doors (Penguin Ireland, 2004)
• T. Ryle Dwyer, Short Fellow: A Biography of Charles J. Haughey (Marino, 1994)
• --- Nice Fellow: A Biography of Jack Lynch (Marino, 2004)
• Brian Lenihan, For the Record (Blackwater, 1991)
• P.J. Mara, The Spirit of the Nation. (Fianna Fáil)
• Raymond Smith, Garret: The Enigma (Aherlow, 1986)

Political career

|- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align: center;" |-style="text-align: center; background: #ccccff;" |align="center" colspan="3"|Political Offices |- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align: center;" |width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Preceded by:
Newly created office

|width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Succeeded by:
Brian Lenihan |- |- |- style="text-align: center;" |width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Preceded by:
Oscar Traynor

|- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align: center;" |width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Preceded by:
Brendan Corish

|width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Succeeded by:
Michael Woods |- |-

|- | width="30%" style="text-align: center;" rowspan="2" | Preceded by:
Jack Lynch | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" | Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party
1979–1992 | width="30%" style="text-align: center;" | Succeeded by:
Albert Reynolds |- | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" | Taoiseach
1979–1981 | width="30%" style="text-align: center;" rowspan="2" | Succeeded by:
Garret FitzGerald |- | width="30%" style="text-align: center;" | Preceded by:
Garret FitzGerald | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" | Leader of the Opposition
1981-1982

|- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align: center;" |width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Preceded by:
Garret FitzGerald

|width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Succeeded by:
Garret FitzGerald |- |-

|width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Succeeded by:
Alan Dukes |- |-

|width="30%" align="center" rowspan=""|Succeeded by:
Albert Reynolds |-

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas

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