Albert Reynolds - Early life, Early political career, Taoiseach 1992–1994, Post-Taoiseach period, Governments, Political career

Irish statesman and prime minister (1992–4), born in Roosky, Co Roscommon, WC Ireland. He became an MP in 1977, and held several ministerial offices from 1979, including minister of finance (1988), under Charles Haughey, but was dismissed in 1991 after being involved in an attempt to gain Haughey's resignation. He became prime minister in the 1992 elections, but his party (Fianna Fáil) lost its majority, forcing the formation of a coalition with the Labour Party in 1993. He lost the support of the Labour Party in November 1994, and was forced to resign, although he remained as an MP.

Albert Reynolds

8th Taoiseach of Ireland
In office 11 February 1992 – 15 December 1994
Deputy	John Wilson (1992–1993) Dick Spring (1993–1994) Dick Spring (1994)
Preceded by	Charles J. Haughey
Succeeded by	John Bruton
Born	4 November 1932 Roscommon, Irish Free State
Political party	Fianna Fáil
Spouse	Kathleen Reynolds
Profession	Businessman

Albert Reynolds (born November 4, 1932) (Irish name;

Reynolds was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a TD) for Longford-Roscommon in 1977, and was re-elected at each election until his retirement in 2002. Reynolds is credited with and is regarded as having more of an influence on the peace process of Northern Ireland than any Taoiseach before him.

Early life

Albert Reynolds was born in Rooskey, County Roscommon on November 4, 1932.

Early political career

Reynolds became interested in politics at the time of the Arms Crisis in 1970, a hugely controversial episode in modern Irish history which saw two Cabinet ministers, Neil Blaney and Charles Haughey, sacked from the government over an alleged attempt to import arms to Northern Ireland. Reynolds stood as a Fianna Fáil candidate in the 1977 General Election. Reynolds was just one of a number of TDs elected to Dáil Éireann on that day, however, at 43 years of age Reynolds was considered a late starter.

Reynolds remained a backbencher until 1979. Reynolds's affable personality helped him to coax a number of backbenchers into supporting Haughey, who went on to beat George Colley in the leadership struggle and become Taoiseach. Reynolds was rewarded for his staunch loyalty by joining the government as Minister for Posts & As Minister for Transport Reynolds was involved in a bizarre incident in which an Aer Lingus plane was hi-jacked with the chief demand for the safe return of the aircraft and its passengers being the revealing of the religious secret, the Third Secret of Fatima. Reynolds returned to government as Minister for Industry & That government fell in late 1982 and Reynolds was back on the opposition benches. Reynolds gave him his overwhelming support at all times and Haughey survived, routing his opponents and critics within the party.

In 1987 Fianna Fáil returned to government and Reynolds was appointed Minister for Industry & Reynolds succeeded MacSharry in the most important department in the government, a succession that was to have severe consequences.

In 1989 a general election resulted in Fianna Fáil taking the unprecedented move of entering into a coalition government with the Progressive Democrats. Reynolds headed the Fianna Fáil negotiation team along with another Minister, Bertie Ahern. A programme for government was finally agreed, 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." Reynolds and his staunchest of supporters, Pádraig Flynn, announced their support for the motion and were immediately sacked from the government. When the vote was taken the party re-affirmed its support in Haughey and it looked as if Reynolds political career was finished. He remained as Taoiseach until February 11 when Albert Reynolds succeeded him having easily defeated Mary O'Rourke and Michael Woods in the Leadership election.

Taoiseach 1992–1994

Reynolds created a storm when he appointed his new cabinet. The ministers who were sacked along with Reynolds at the end of 1991 where all re-instated, and a number of younger TDs, like Charlie McCreevy and Brian Cowen, joined the cabinet for the first time. Bertie Ahern, possibly one of Haughey's biggest supporters, remained as Minister for Finance due to his agreement with Reynolds not to challenge him for the leadership.

On Reynolds's first day as Taoiseach the X-Case incident erupted. At the tribunal Desmond O'Malley severely criticised Reynolds, in his capacity as Minister for Industry & Support for the party fell by 5% and it was clear that the public blamed Reynolds over O'Malley for the collapse of the government. Eventually negotiations began to form another coalition government and eventually a Fianna Fáil-Labour Party government came to power with Reynolds returning as Taoiseach and Dick Spring of Labour becoming Tánaiste.

One of Reynolds's big achievements during his term as Taoiseach was the advancement in the peace process regarding Northern Ireland. Reynolds had a very good relationship with Major, possibly one of the best between an Irish Taoiseach and a British Prime Minister.

The agreement between the two governments was a high point for Reynolds, however the government was soon to face more pressure. On 9 June 1994 the arithmetic in Dáil Éireann changed due to Fianna Fáil's defeat in the Mayo West and Dublin South Central by-elections, and for the first time in the 27th Dáil an alternative government could be formed without Fianna Fáil.

The report on the Beef Tribunal was eventually published in July 1994 and Labour threatened to leave the government if Reynolds was criticised.

Reynolds's and Spring's political relationship came to breaking point over the Attorney-General, Harry Whelehan, and Reynolds's insistence in appointing him president of the High Court. Reynolds realised that nothing could be done to save the government and he resigned as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil found themselves in opposition against the Rainbow Coalition and Reynolds returned to the opposition backbenches of Dáil Éireann.

Post-Taoiseach period

Reynolds remained on as a TD following his resignation. Bertie Ahern, Reynolds's successor, encouraged him to run and offered him the position of "peace envoy" to Northern Ireland and his support as a candidate for the presidential election. Fianna Fáil won the election, however, Ahern went back on his promise to Reynolds due to poor election results in his constituency and the change in the political situation in the North of Ireland.

Governments

The following governments were led by Reynolds:

22nd Government of Ireland (February 1992–January 1993) 23rd Government of Ireland (January 1993–December 1994)

Political career

Political Offices
Preceded by: Pádraig Faulkner	Minister for Posts & Telegraphs 1979–1981	Succeeded by: Patrick Cooney
Preceded by: George Colley	Minister for Transport 1980–1981
Preceded by: Michael O'Leary	Minister for Industry & Energy Mar 1982–Dec 1982	Succeeded by: John Bruton
Preceded by: Michael Noonan	Minister for Industry & Commerce 1987–1988	Succeeded by: Ray Burke
Preceded by: Ray MacSharry	Minister for Finance 1988–1991	Succeeded by: Bertie Ahern
Preceded by: Charles Haughey	Taoiseach 1992–1994	Succeeded by: John Bruton
	Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party 1992–1994	Succeeded by: Bertie Ahern
Preceded by: Bobby Molloy	Minister for Energy Nov 1992–Jan 1993 (acting)	Succeeded by: Brian Cowen

Leaders of Fianna Fáil
Éamon de Valera (1926-1959) |