Independent Fianna Fáil
Encyclopedia
Independent Fianna Fáil was a splinter republican party created by Neil Blaney
after his expulsion from Fianna Fáil
following the Irish Arms Crisis
(1969–1970). It ceased to exist on 26 July 2006. It was never a registered political party: Niall Blaney
said in 2003 "I am an Independent and a member of an organisation known locally as Independent Fianna Fáil." Its candidates were listed on ballot papers without a party label, and without the optional "Non-party" label available to independents. However, the Oireachtas members' database lists Independent Fianna Fáil members separately.
in the Republic of Ireland
and, in particular, in Blaney's old constituency of Donegal North East
. Blaney's nephew Niall Blaney
was elected as an Independent Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála
(TD) for the constituency and in the 2004 local elections there were two county councillors, both member of Donegal County Council
and two town councillors, one a member of Letterkenny
Town Council and one a member of Buncrana Town Council. It also had representation on Roscommon County Council where Paddy Lenihan, sister of Mary O'Rourke
and uncle of Brian Lenihan, Jnr
, defected from Fianna Fáil
in the 1980s.
Paddy Keaveney
(father of Fianna Fáil Senator Cecilia Keaveney
) was elected for Independent Fianna Fáil in the by-election in 1976 following the death of Liam Cunningham
. Keaveney lost his seat at the 1977 general election
. The group also briefly had a senator James Larkin
, which was part of the confidence and supply arrangement made with Fianna Fáil
after the February 1982 General Election.
In 1979
Neil Blaney was elected to the European Parliament
for the Connacht–Ulster constituency. He sat in the Technical Group of Independents
which was a technical alliance of mainly left wing MEPs
who were not allied with either the Soviet influenced Communist parties or the mainstream Social Democratic parties. He served as chair of the group along with the Italian Radical Marco Pannella
and Danish left-wing Eurosceptic
Jens-Peter Bonde
. He narrowly lost the seat in the 1984 election
but was returned to serve as an MEP
in 1989 election
where he sat with the regionalist Rainbow Group
.
In a number of elections Paddy Kelly stood under the IFF banner in elections in Donegal South West
unsuccessfully, he was however elected to the council for the Glenties
ward and served as a member until 2004.
Jackie Healy-Rae
TD
for Kerry South also runs under the banner of Independent Fianna Fáil. Healy-Rae continues to use the Independent Fianna Fáil name on his posters and flyers as part of the canvass
for the 2007 general election, although he had no connection to the IFF party.
over the summer of 2006, Independent Fianna Fáil was absorbed by Fianna Fáil on the 26th of July following a formal application by Niall Blaney to join Fianna Fáil. The merger between the two organisations was opposed by other members of the Blaney family, including all seven children of Neil Blaney and his widow Eva who issued a damning press release prior to Niall Blaney's decision castigating the Fianna Fáil party and disassociating themselves from any so called 'truce' with them. It was also opposed by other members of the IFF organisation who later joined Sinn Féin
.
Neil Blaney
Neil Terence Columba Blaney was a senior Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1948 as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála representing Donegal East. Blaney served as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs , Minister for Local Government and Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries...
after his expulsion from 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...
following the Irish Arms Crisis
Arms Crisis
The Arms Crisis or Arms Trial was a political scandal in the Republic of Ireland in 1970, when two cabinet ministers — Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney — were sacked for allegedly attempting to illegally import arms for the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland.-Background:The...
(1969–1970). It ceased to exist on 26 July 2006. It was never a registered political party: Niall Blaney
Niall Blaney
Niall Blaney is a former Irish politician. A member of Independent Fianna Fáil until he joined Fianna Fáil in 2006, he served as a Teachta Dála for Donegal North East from 2002 to 2011....
said in 2003 "I am an Independent and a member of an organisation known locally as Independent Fianna Fáil." Its candidates were listed on ballot papers without a party label, and without the optional "Non-party" label available to independents. However, the Oireachtas members' database lists Independent Fianna Fáil members separately.
Overview
The party existed mainly in County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and, in particular, in Blaney's old constituency of Donegal North East
Donegal North East (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Donegal North–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
. Blaney's nephew Niall Blaney
Niall Blaney
Niall Blaney is a former Irish politician. A member of Independent Fianna Fáil until he joined Fianna Fáil in 2006, he served as a Teachta Dála for Donegal North East from 2002 to 2011....
was elected as an Independent Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the constituency and in the 2004 local elections there were two county councillors, both member of Donegal County Council
Donegal County Council
Donegal County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Donegal in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Mayor...
and two town councillors, one a member of Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
Town Council and one a member of Buncrana Town Council. It also had representation on Roscommon County Council where Paddy Lenihan, sister of 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...
and uncle of Brian Lenihan, Jnr
Brian Lenihan, Jnr
Brian Joseph Lenihan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and barrister who served in the government of Ireland as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007 to 2008 and as Minister for Finance from 2008 to 2011...
, defected from 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...
in the 1980s.
Paddy Keaveney
Paddy Keaveney
Patrick "Paddy" Keaveney was an Co-operative manager from County Donegal and a politician of the Independent Fianna Fáil party, who was a Teachta Dála for one year....
(father of Fianna Fáil Senator Cecilia Keaveney
Cecilia Keaveney
Cecilia Keaveney is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. She was a Teachta Dála and also a Senator from 1996 to 2011.-Early life:...
) was elected for Independent Fianna Fáil in the by-election in 1976 following the death of Liam Cunningham
Liam Cunningham (Irish politician)
Liam Cunningham was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was born in County Donegal in 1915. A qualified national school teacher, Cunningham was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1951 general election as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Donegal East constituency...
. Keaveney lost his seat at the 1977 general election
Irish general election, 1977
The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in twentieth century Irish politics. The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. The number of...
. The group also briefly had a senator James Larkin
James Larkin (Independent Fianna Fáil)
James Larkin was an Irish politician. He was nominated by the Taoiseach Charles Haughey to Seanad Éireann in 1982 and served until 1983. He was elected a member of the Letterkenny Urban District Council in 1967. He was chairman of the council on five different occasions. He was founder member of...
, which was part of the confidence and supply arrangement made with 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...
after the February 1982 General Election.
In 1979
European Parliament election, 1979 (Ireland)
The 1979 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1979 European Parliament election. These were the first direct elections to the European Parliament...
Neil Blaney was elected to the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
for the Connacht–Ulster constituency. He sat in the Technical Group of Independents
Technical Group of Independents
Technical Groups of Independents may refer to two political groups of the European Parliament:*Technical Group of Independents *Technical Group of Independents...
which was a technical alliance of mainly left wing MEPs
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
who were not allied with either the Soviet influenced Communist parties or the mainstream Social Democratic parties. He served as chair of the group along with the Italian Radical Marco Pannella
Marco Pannella
Giacinto Pannella, better known as Marco Pannella is an Italian politician.He is the historic leader of the Italian Radicals...
and Danish left-wing Eurosceptic
EuroSceptic
EuroSceptic is the second album of British singer Jack Lucien. It was released in October 2009.Due to being an album influenced by Europop, it features songs with parts in different languages...
Jens-Peter Bonde
Jens-Peter Bonde
Jens-Peter Rossen Bonde is a former Member of the European Parliament with the June Movement. He resigned as an MEP in May 2008. Bonde was elected to the European Parliament in the first election in 1979 with the People's Movement against the EU. He has been re-elected 6 times consecutively...
. He narrowly lost the seat in the 1984 election
European Parliament election, 1984 (Ireland)
The 1984 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1984 European Parliament election. The election was conducted under the single transferable vote.-Results:-Voting details:-See also:...
but was returned to serve as an MEP
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
in 1989 election
European Parliament election, 1989 (Ireland)
The 1989 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1989 European Parliament election. The election was conducted under the single transferable vote.-Results:-Voting details:-See also:...
where he sat with the regionalist Rainbow Group
Rainbow Group (1989–1994)
The Rainbow Group in the European Parliament was a regionalist political group with representation in the European Parliament between 1989 and 1994.-History:In 1989 the previous Rainbow Group split...
.
In a number of elections Paddy Kelly stood under the IFF banner in elections in Donegal South West
Donegal South West (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Donegal South–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
unsuccessfully, he was however elected to the council for the Glenties
Glenties
Glenties is a village in the northwest of Ireland in central County Donegal. It is situated where two glens meet, northwest of the Blue Stack Mountains, near the confluence of two rivers. Glenties is the largest centre of population in the parish of Iniskeel...
ward and served as a member until 2004.
Jackie Healy-Rae
Jackie Healy-Rae
Jackie Healy-Rae is a former Irish politician who served as an Independent Teachta Dála for the Kerry South constituency from 1997 to 2011.-Early and private life:...
TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
for Kerry South also runs under the banner of Independent Fianna Fáil. Healy-Rae continues to use the Independent Fianna Fáil name on his posters and flyers as part of the canvass
Canvassing
Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with a target group of individuals commonly used during political campaigns. A campaign team will knock on doors of private residences within a particular geographic area, engaging in face-to-face personal interaction with voters...
for the 2007 general election, although he had no connection to the IFF party.
Blaney legacy
- Neal BlaneyNeal BlaneyNeal Blaney was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, and long-serving member of the Oireachtas.Blaney, a native of Fanad in the north of County Donegal, had been a commander of the IRA in Donegal during the War of Independence and the Civil War...
was elected to the 5th Dáil on 12 August 1927 as Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna 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...
Teachta DálaTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
and successfully contested all general elections until the 13th Dáil in 1948. He was defeated in the 1938 general election but was elected to the 3rd Seanad on the Agricultural Panel. - His son, Neil BlaneyNeil BlaneyNeil Terence Columba Blaney was a senior Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1948 as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála representing Donegal East. Blaney served as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs , Minister for Local Government and Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries...
successfully contested one by-election to succeed his father and 14 subsequent general elections. He was a TD from 1948 to 1995. He was a Cabinet Minister on several occasions - A brother of Neil, Harry BlaneyHarry BlaneyHarry Blaney is a retired Irish Independent Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the constituency of Donegal North East. He is a son of Neal Blaney, who was a TD from 1927 to 1948....
, succeeded his brother and was a TD in the 28th Dáil. - Harry's son, Niall BlaneyNiall BlaneyNiall Blaney is a former Irish politician. A member of Independent Fianna Fáil until he joined Fianna Fáil in 2006, he served as a Teachta Dála for Donegal North East from 2002 to 2011....
was a TD in the 29th Dáil and the 30th Dáil.
Absorption by Fianna Fáil
Following talks with 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...
over the summer of 2006, Independent Fianna Fáil was absorbed by Fianna Fáil on the 26th of July following a formal application by Niall Blaney to join Fianna Fáil. The merger between the two organisations was opposed by other members of the Blaney family, including all seven children of Neil Blaney and his widow Eva who issued a damning press release prior to Niall Blaney's decision castigating the Fianna Fáil party and disassociating themselves from any so called 'truce' with them. It was also opposed by other members of the IFF organisation who later joined Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
.