Liam Fitzgerald
Encyclopedia
Liam Joseph Fitzgerald is an Irish
politician and former Fianna Fáil
Teachta Dála
(TD) and Senator
.
Fitzgerald was born in Doon, County Limerick
and educated at the Christian Brothers
school in Doon, St. Patrick's Teacher Training College, Drumcondra
, Dublin and University College Dublin
. He worked as a teacher before becoming involved in politics. He was first elected in 1981
as a Fianna Fáil
TD for Dublin North East
. He lost his seat in the February 1982 election but regained it in the November 1982 election. In 1991 Fitzgerald was a key member of the so-called "gang of four" which proposed a motion of no confidence
in the Taoiseach
, and the leader of his party, Charles Haughey
(the other members of the group were Noel Dempsey
, Seán Power and M. J. Nolan
). Haughey resigned in early 1992 and Albert Reynolds
became Taoiseach
, but Fitzgerald remained on the backbenches. He lost his Dáil seat again in the 1997 general election
and was then elected to the 21st Seanad on the Labour Panel, and was re-elected in 2002 to the 22nd Seanad.
Fitzgerald resigned the party whip on the 27 March 2007 and stated his intention to run as an independent candidate in the forthcoming election. It is believed that he did this as a response to his failure to gain the party's nomination for Dublin North East.
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,...
politician and former 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...
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) and Senator
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...
.
Fitzgerald was born in Doon, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
and educated at the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
school in Doon, St. Patrick's Teacher Training College, Drumcondra
Drumcondra, Dublin
Drumcondra is a residential area and inner suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It is administered by Dublin City Council.The River Tolka and the Royal Canal flow through the area.-History:...
, Dublin and University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
. He worked as a teacher before becoming involved in politics. He was first elected in 1981
Irish general election, 1981
The Irish general election of 1981 was held on 11 June 1981, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 21 May. The newly elected 166 members of the 22nd Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 30 June when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
as a 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...
TD for Dublin North East
Dublin North East (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin North–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
. He lost his seat in the February 1982 election but regained it in the November 1982 election. In 1991 Fitzgerald was a key member of the so-called "gang of four" which proposed a motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
in the 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...
, and the leader of his party, 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...
(the other members of the group were Noel Dempsey
Noel Dempsey
Noel Dempsey is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Meath and Meath West constituencies from 1987 to 2011...
, Seán Power and M. J. Nolan
M. J. Nolan
M. J. Nolan is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He served as a Teachta Dála for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency from 1982–97 and 2002–11....
). Haughey resigned in early 1992 and 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...
became 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...
, but Fitzgerald remained on the backbenches. He lost his Dáil seat again in the 1997 general election
Irish general election, 1997
The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, 6 June 1997. The 166 newly elected members of the 28th Dáil assembled on 26 June 1997 when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
and was then elected to the 21st Seanad on the Labour Panel, and was re-elected in 2002 to the 22nd Seanad.
Fitzgerald resigned the party whip on the 27 March 2007 and stated his intention to run as an independent candidate in the forthcoming election. It is believed that he did this as a response to his failure to gain the party's nomination for Dublin North East.