Mark Killilea, Jnr
Encyclopedia
Mark Killilea, Jnr is a former Irish
Fianna Fáil
party politician from County Galway
. In a 30-year political career, served as a Teachta Dála
(TD) and Member of the European Parliament
and also as a Senator.
Mark Killilea was born in Tuam
, County Galway
in 1939. His father Mark Killilea, Snr
was a Fianna Fáil
TD and a founder-member of the party. Killilea Jnr was educated locally and first held political office in 1969, when he was elected to Galway County Council
. He was elected to Seanad Éireann
on the Labour Panel in 1969 and re-elected ion 1973. He failed to be elected to Dáil Éireann
on his first attempt when he stood in Galway North East
at the 1973 general election
, but four years later at the 1977 general election
he won a seat in the new Galway East constituency. The entire election proved to be a landslide for Fianna Fáil
and in particular showed the popularity of the party leader and Taoiseach
, Jack Lynch
.
However, after just two years Lynch's fortunes had changed. Along with Jackie Fahey
, Tom McEllistrim, Seán Doherty and Albert Reynolds
, Killilea was one of the so-called "gang of five" that lobbied the parliamentary party for support for Charles Haughey
in the event of the retirement of Jack Lynch
. This group was determined that the leadership should not pass to George Colley
, Lynch's apparent successor. Haughey went on to win the leadership contest
and became Taoiseach
in December 1979.
Killilea's loyalty was rewarded by being appointed Minister of State
at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. He held this position until Fianna Fáil's defeat at the 1981 general election
. After changes in constituency boundaries, Killilea had switched to the Galway West constituency in 1981, where he lost his Dáil seat at the February 1982 general election, but was elected to the Seanad where he served until 1987. After Ray MacSharry
retired from the European Parliament
in 1987, Killilea was appointed as his replacement in the Connacht–Ulster constituency. Killilea held the seat with ease at the 1989
and 1994 European elections
, and retired from politics at the 1999 election
.
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,...
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...
party politician from County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
. In a 30-year political career, served as a 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 Member of the European Parliament
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,...
and also as a Senator.
Mark Killilea was born in Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
in 1939. His father Mark Killilea, Snr
Mark Killilea, Snr
Mark Killilea, Snr was an Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician. He was a TD for constituencies in County Galway for over thirty years, and then a Senator for 8 years....
was 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 and a founder-member of the party. Killilea Jnr was educated locally and first held political office in 1969, when he was elected to Galway County Council
Galway County Council
Galway County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Galway in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Galway County Hall in Galway...
. He was elected to 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...
on the Labour Panel in 1969 and re-elected ion 1973. He failed to be elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
on his first attempt when he stood in Galway North East
Galway North East (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Galway North–East was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1969 to 1977...
at the 1973 general election
Irish general election, 1973
The Irish general election of 1973 was held on 28 February 1973. The newly elected 144 members of the 20th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 4 March when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
, but four years later 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...
he won a seat in the new Galway East constituency. The entire election proved to be a landslide for 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 in particular showed the popularity of the party leader 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...
, Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
.
However, after just two years Lynch's fortunes had changed. Along with Jackie Fahey
Jackie Fahey
John "Jackie" Fahey is a former Irish politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Fianna Fáil party for over twenty five years....
, Tom McEllistrim, Seán Doherty 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...
, Killilea was one of the so-called "gang of five" that lobbied the parliamentary party for support for 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...
in the event of the retirement of Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
. This group was determined that the leadership should not pass to George Colley
George Colley
George Colley was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who served in a wide number of Cabinet poistions, most notably as Minister for Finance and Tánaiste. He was twice defeated for the leadership of Fianna Fáil in 1966 and 1979.-Early life:Colley was born in Fairview, on the northside of Dublin...
, Lynch's apparent successor. Haughey went on to win the leadership contest
Fianna Fáil leadership election, 1979
The 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in December 1979, when Jack Lynch resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. Lynch had been party leader for thirteen years and Taoiseach for over nine years. His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 7 December...
and 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...
in December 1979.
Killilea's loyalty was rewarded by being appointed Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. He held this position until Fianna Fáil's defeat at the 1981 general election
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....
. After changes in constituency boundaries, Killilea had switched to the Galway West constituency in 1981, where he lost his Dáil seat at the February 1982 general election, but was elected to the Seanad where he served until 1987. After Ray MacSharry
Ray MacSharry
Raymond MacSharry is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who served in a range of cabinet positions, most notably as Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and European Commissioner.-Early life:...
retired from 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...
in 1987, Killilea was appointed as his replacement in the Connacht–Ulster constituency. Killilea held the seat with ease at the 1989
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:...
and 1994 European elections
European Parliament election, 1994 (Ireland)
The 1994 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1994 European Parliament election. The election was conducted under the single transferable vote.-Results:-Voting details:-See also:...
, and retired from politics at the 1999 election
European Parliament election, 1999 (Ireland)
The 1999 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1999 European Parliament election. The election was conducted under the single transferable vote.-Results:-Voting details :-See also:...
.