Fianna Fáil leadership election, 1992
Encyclopedia
The 1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in January 1992, when Charles Haughey
resigned as party leader. Haughey had been party leader for thirteen years and had served as Taoiseach on three occasions. His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil
parliamentary party on 6 February 1992. After one ballot the election was won by Albert Reynolds
.
's leadership occurred in November 1991 when the Minister for Finance
, Albert Reynolds
, launched a leadership challenge. On that occasion the challenge failed, however, it was not to be the end of the issue.
Following the leadership challenge the business of government continued and the Minister for Justice, Ray Burke, introduced the phone-tapping bill. This did not please the Cathaoirleach
of Seanad Éireann
, Seán Doherty, who had been dismissed from the cabinet in 1982 over his alleged involvement in the phone-tapping of journalists telephones. He considered the bill to be an affront to his character. He had always denied that he acted alone with regard to the tappings and had taken the rap in 1982. However, he was deeply unhappy that he would have to deal with the bill in the Seanad. In a television interview in early January 1992 Doherty indicated that he had not acted alone and that the phone-tappings were known by other senior members of the government. Doherty's comments were criticised by fellow politicians as bringing up old divisions. On 21 January 1992 he called a press conference in which he stated that Charles Haughey
had known fully about the phone-tappings when previously he had stated the opposite. Haughey called his own press conference denying the claims, however, his partners in government, the Progressive Democrats
, indicated that they would have to withdraw from the government as there was no way they could continue with Haughey as Taoiseach
. Haughey told them that this was not necessary as he had decided to stand down as leader of Fianna Fáil
and Taoiseach
.
On 30 January Haughey announced his resignation to the Fianna Fáil
parliamentary party. Albert Reynolds
, the sacked Minister for Finance, immediately threw his hat into the ring. Haughey had wanted Bertie Ahern
to stand for the leadership, however, he declined. Reynolds had no serious competition, however, Michael Woods and Mary O'Rourke
also stood for the leadership.
parliamentary party on 6 February 1992 the following votes were cast:
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
resigned as party leader. Haughey had been party leader for thirteen years and had served as Taoiseach on three occasions. His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
parliamentary party on 6 February 1992. After one ballot the election was won by Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
.
Standing
- Albert ReynoldsAlbert ReynoldsAlbert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
, Former Minister for Finance - Michael Woods, Minister for Agriculture and Food
- Mary O'RourkeMary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. She is a former Teachta Dála for the Longford–Westmeath and Westmeath constituencies. She served as Minister for Education , Minister for Health and Minister for Public Enterprise...
, Minister for Health
Declined to stand
- Bertie AhernBertie AhernPatrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
, Minister for Finance - Brian Lenihan, Snr, former TánaisteTánaisteThe Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
Campaign
The beginning of the end of Charles HaugheyCharles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
's leadership occurred in November 1991 when the Minister for Finance
Minister for Finance (Ireland)
The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
, Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
, launched a leadership challenge. On that occasion the challenge failed, however, it was not to be the end of the issue.
Following the leadership challenge the business of government continued and the Minister for Justice, Ray Burke, introduced the phone-tapping bill. This did not please the Cathaoirleach
Cathaoirleach
Cathaoirleach is the title of the chairman of Seanad Éireann, the sixty-member upper house of the Oireachtas, the legislature of Ireland. The current Cathaoirleach is Senator Paddy Burke...
of Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
, Seán Doherty, who had been dismissed from the cabinet in 1982 over his alleged involvement in the phone-tapping of journalists telephones. He considered the bill to be an affront to his character. He had always denied that he acted alone with regard to the tappings and had taken the rap in 1982. However, he was deeply unhappy that he would have to deal with the bill in the Seanad. In a television interview in early January 1992 Doherty indicated that he had not acted alone and that the phone-tappings were known by other senior members of the government. Doherty's comments were criticised by fellow politicians as bringing up old divisions. On 21 January 1992 he called a press conference in which he stated that Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
had known fully about the phone-tappings when previously he had stated the opposite. Haughey called his own press conference denying the claims, however, his partners in government, the Progressive Democrats
Progressive Democrats
The Progressive Democrats , commonly known as the PDs, was a pro-free market liberal political party in the Republic of Ireland.Launched on 21 December 1985 by Desmond O'Malley and other politicians who had split from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the Progressive Democrats took liberal positions on...
, indicated that they would have to withdraw from the government as there was no way they could continue with Haughey as Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
. Haughey told them that this was not necessary as he had decided to stand down as leader of Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
and Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
.
On 30 January Haughey announced his resignation to the Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
parliamentary party. Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
, the sacked Minister for Finance, immediately threw his hat into the ring. Haughey had wanted Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
to stand for the leadership, however, he declined. Reynolds had no serious competition, however, Michael Woods and Mary O'Rourke
Mary O'Rourke
Mary O'Rourke is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. She is a former Teachta Dála for the Longford–Westmeath and Westmeath constituencies. She served as Minister for Education , Minister for Health and Minister for Public Enterprise...
also stood for the leadership.
Result
At the meeting of the Fianna FáilFianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
parliamentary party on 6 February 1992 the following votes were cast:
| Election: 6 February 1992 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Albert Reynolds Albert Reynolds Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize... |
61 | 79% | |
| Michael Woods | 10 | 13% | |
| Mary O'Rourke Mary O'Rourke Mary O'Rourke is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. She is a former Teachta Dála for the Longford–Westmeath and Westmeath constituencies. She served as Minister for Education , Minister for Health and Minister for Public Enterprise... |
6 | 8% | |
| Turnout | 77 | ||
| Result: Albert Reynolds elected leader. | |||