Leader of Fine Gael
Encyclopedia
The Leader of Fine Gael is the most senior politician within the Fine Gael
political party in Ireland
. Since 5 June 2002, the office has been held by Enda Kenny
following the resignation of Michael Noonan
as leader of the party.
The Deputy Leader of Fine Gael is James Reilly.
and the National Guard (previously called the Army Comrades Association better known as The Blueshirts) merged to form Fine Gael – the United Ireland party. Eoin O'Duffy
, leader of the National Guard, though not a member of the Oireachtas
, became the first party leader, with former President of the Executive Council
W. T. Cosgrave serving as parliamentary leader. The merger brought together two strands of Irish nationalism namely the pro-treaty
wing of revolutionary Sinn Féin
and the old Home Rule
party represented by James Dillon and the National Centre Party. In reality, the new party was a larger version of Cumann na nGaedheal, the party created in 1923 by the pro-Treaty leaders of the Irish Free State
under W. T. Cosgrave.
W. T . Cosgrave retired as leader before the 1944 general election
, and he was succeeded by Richard Mulcahy
. Mulcahy was then member of the Seanad
, so Tom O'Higgins
acted as parliamentary party leader. After the 1948 general election
, the First Inter-Party Government
was formed, but Clann na Poblachta
(under former anti-Treaty IRA
Chief of Staff Seán MacBride
) were opposed to Mulcahy because of his role as Chief of Staff of the Irish Army
in the execution of republicans during the Irish Civil War
. Mulcahy stepped aside and former Attorney General
John A. Costello
became Taoiseach
, and Mulcahy serving as Minister for Education instead. Between 1948 and 1959, John A. Costello served as parliamentary party leader. Mulcahy retired as leader in 1959 and was replaced by James Dillon. After defeat in the 1965 general election
, Dillon resigned and was replaced by Liam Cosgrave
, son of W. T. Cosgrave. Liam Cosgrave served as Taoiseach from 1973–77. Cosgrave resigned after the Fine Gael–Labour Party
government lost power at the 1977 general election
.
Garret FitzGerald
succeeded him as leader and served as Taoiseach from June 1981 to March 1982 and December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald resigned in 1987 after losing the 1987 general election
and was replaced by Alan Dukes
. After defeats at the 1989 general election
and the 1990 presidential election
, Dukes was replaced by John Bruton
in 1990. Following the collapse of the Fianna Fáil
–Labour Party
government in 1994, Bruton become Taoiseach serving from 1994–97 in a Rainbow coalition with the Labour Party and Democratic Left
. Bruton was deposed from leadership in 2001 in favour of Michael Noonan
, due in part to fears Fine Gael would suffer severe losses at the 2002 general election
. However, Noonan failed to live up to expectations and the party suffered an even greater collapse than had been expected under Bruton. Having gone into the election expecting to increase its seat count from 54 to 60, it only won 31 seats. On the night of the election Michael Noonan
resigned as leader after just over a year in office, triggering the third leadership contest
in the history of the party. Four candidates put their names forward for the leadership with Enda Kenny
emerging as the victor after a secret ballot
.
Like other Irish political parties, most notably Fianna Fáil
, the Leader of Fine Gael has the power to dismiss or appoint their Deputy and to dismiss or appoint parliamentary party members to front bench positions. When Fine Gael is in opposition the leader usually acts as the Leader of the Opposition
, and chairs the opposition front bench. Concordantly, when the party is in government, the leader would usually become Taoiseach
, as well as appointing the cabinet.
. The post is currently held by James Reilly, who was appointed deputy on 1 July 2010.
Like other political party leaders, the leader of Fine Gael has the power to appoint of dismiss their deputy. The position is not an elected one and is largely honorific.
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
political party in 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,...
. Since 5 June 2002, the office has been held by Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
following the resignation of Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan is an Irish Fine Gael politician and has been the Minister for Finance since March 2011. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Limerick East and later Limerick City constituencies since 1981....
as leader of the party.
The Deputy Leader of Fine Gael is James Reilly.
Background
In September 1933, Cumann na nGaedheal, the National Centre PartyNational Centre Party (Ireland)
The National Centre Party, initially known as the National Farmers and Ratepayers League, was a short-lived political party in the Irish Free State...
and the National Guard (previously called the Army Comrades Association better known as The Blueshirts) merged to form Fine Gael – the United Ireland party. Eoin O'Duffy
Eoin O'Duffy
Eoin O'Duffy was in succession a Teachta Dála , the Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army , the second Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, leader of the Army Comrades Association and then the first leader of Fine Gael , before leading the Irish Brigade to fight for Francisco Franco during...
, leader of the National Guard, though not a member of the Oireachtas
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas , sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the "national parliament" or legislature of Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of:*The President of Ireland*The two Houses of the Oireachtas :**Dáil Éireann...
, became the first party leader, with former President of the Executive Council
President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State
The President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State was the head of government or prime minister of the Irish Free State which existed from 1922 to 1937...
W. T. Cosgrave serving as parliamentary leader. The merger brought together two strands of Irish nationalism namely the pro-treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
wing of revolutionary 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...
and the old Home Rule
Irish Home Rule Movement
The Irish Home Rule Movement articulated a longstanding Irish desire for the repeal of the Act of Union of 1800 by a demand for self-government within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The movement drew upon a legacy of patriotic thought that dated back at least to the late 17th...
party represented by James Dillon and the National Centre Party. In reality, the new party was a larger version of Cumann na nGaedheal, the party created in 1923 by the pro-Treaty leaders of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
under W. T. Cosgrave.
W. T . Cosgrave retired as leader before the 1944 general election
Irish general election, 1944
The Irish general election of 1944 was held on 30 May 1944, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 9 May. The 138 newly elected members of the 12th Dáil assembled on 9 June when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
, and he was succeeded by Richard Mulcahy
Richard Mulcahy
Richard James Mulcahy was an Irish politician, army general and commander in chief, leader of Fine Gael and Cabinet Minister...
. Mulcahy was then member of the Seanad
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...
, so Tom O'Higgins
Tom O'Higgins
Thomas Francis O'Higgins was an Irish Fine Gael politician, a barrister and a judge.Tom O'Higgins was born in Cork in 1916. He was the son of Thomas F. O'Higgins and the nephew of Kevin O'Higgins...
acted as parliamentary party leader. After the 1948 general election
Irish general election, 1948
The Irish general election of 1948 was held on 4 February 1948. The 147 newly elected members of the 13th Dáil assembled on 18 February when the First Inter-Party government in the history of the Irish state was appointed....
, the First Inter-Party Government
Government of the 13th Dáil
The 13th Dáil was elected at the 1948 general election on 4 February 1948 and first met on 18 February when the 5th Government of Ireland was appointed. The 13th Dáil lasted for 1,211 days....
was formed, but Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta , abbreviated CnaP, was an Irish republican and social democratic political party founded by former Irish Republican Army Chief of Staff Seán MacBride in 1946.-Foundation:...
(under former anti-Treaty IRA
Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)
The original Irish Republican Army fought a guerrilla war against British rule in Ireland in the Irish War of Independence 1919–1921. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, the IRA in the 26 counties that were to become the Irish Free State split between supporters and...
Chief of Staff Seán MacBride
Seán MacBride
Seán MacBride was an Irish government minister and prominent international politician as well as a Chief of Staff of the IRA....
) were opposed to Mulcahy because of his role as Chief of Staff of the Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
in the execution of republicans during the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
. Mulcahy stepped aside and former Attorney General
Attorney General of Ireland
The Attorney General is a constitutional officer who is the official adviser to the Government of Ireland in matters of law. He is in effect the chief law officer in Ireland. The Attorney General is not a member of the Government but does participate in cabinet meetings when invited and attends...
John A. Costello
John A. Costello
John Aloysius Costello , a successful barrister, was one of the main legal advisors to the government of the Irish Free State after independence, Attorney General of Ireland from 1926–1932 and Taoiseach from 1948–1951 and 1954–1957....
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...
, and Mulcahy serving as Minister for Education instead. Between 1948 and 1959, John A. Costello served as parliamentary party leader. Mulcahy retired as leader in 1959 and was replaced by James Dillon. After defeat in the 1965 general election
Irish general election, 1965
The Irish general election of 1965 was held on 7 April 1965. The newly elected members of the 18th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 21 April when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
, Dillon resigned and was replaced by Liam Cosgrave
Liam Cosgrave
Liam Cosgrave is an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach and as Leader of Fine Gael . He was a Teachta Dála from 1943 to 1981....
, son of W. T. Cosgrave. Liam Cosgrave served as Taoiseach from 1973–77. Cosgrave resigned after the Fine Gael–Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
government lost power 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...
.
Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald was an Irish politician who was twice Taoiseach of Ireland, serving in office from July 1981 to February 1982 and again from December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD in 1969. He...
succeeded him as leader and served as Taoiseach from June 1981 to March 1982 and December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald resigned in 1987 after losing the 1987 general election
Irish general election, 1987
The Irish general election of 1987 was held on 17 February 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 20 January. The newly-elected 166 members of the 25th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 10 March when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took place in...
and was replaced by Alan Dukes
Alan Dukes
Alan Dukes is a former Irish politician who served as leader of the Fine Gael political party and Teachta Dála for Kildare and Kildare South. He holds the distinction of being one of only five TDs to be appointed Minister on their first day in the Dáil. He lost his seat in the 2002 general election...
. After defeats at the 1989 general election
Irish general election, 1989
The Irish general election of 1989 was held on Thursday, 15 June 1989, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 25 May. The newly elected 166 members of the 26th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 29 June...
and the 1990 presidential election
Irish presidential election, 1990
-Aftermath:While the role of the presidency in day to day politics is a very limited one the Robinson presidency is regarded by many observers as a watershed in Irish society symbolising the shift away from the conservative ultracatholic male-dominated Ireland which existed up until the end of the...
, Dukes was replaced by John Bruton
John Bruton
John Gerard Bruton is an Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 1994 to 1997. A minister under two taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave and Garret FitzGerald, Bruton held a number of the top posts in Irish government, including Minister for Finance , and Minister for Industry, Trade,...
in 1990. Following the collapse 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...
–Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
government in 1994, Bruton become Taoiseach serving from 1994–97 in a Rainbow coalition with the Labour Party and Democratic Left
Democratic Left (Ireland)
Democratic Left was a democratic socialist political party active in Ireland between 1992 and 1999. It came into being after a split in the Workers' Party and, after just seven years in existence, it merged into the Irish Labour Party.-Origins:...
. Bruton was deposed from leadership in 2001 in favour of Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan is an Irish Fine Gael politician and has been the Minister for Finance since March 2011. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Limerick East and later Limerick City constituencies since 1981....
, due in part to fears Fine Gael would suffer severe losses at the 2002 general election
Irish general election, 2002
The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday, 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern...
. However, Noonan failed to live up to expectations and the party suffered an even greater collapse than had been expected under Bruton. Having gone into the election expecting to increase its seat count from 54 to 60, it only won 31 seats. On the night of the election Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan is an Irish Fine Gael politician and has been the Minister for Finance since March 2011. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Limerick East and later Limerick City constituencies since 1981....
resigned as leader after just over a year in office, triggering the third leadership contest
Fine Gael leadership election, 2002
The 2002 Fine Gael leadership election began in May 2002, when Michael Noonan resigned as party leader due to the party's poor performance in the 2002 general election. Noonan had only been party leader for little over fifteen months. His successor was elected by the members of the Fine Gael...
in the history of the party. Four candidates put their names forward for the leadership with Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
emerging as the victor after a secret ballot
Secret ballot
The secret ballot is a voting method in which a voter's choices in an election or a referendum are anonymous. The key aim is to ensure the voter records a sincere choice by forestalling attempts to influence the voter by intimidation or bribery. The system is one means of achieving the goal of...
.
Like other Irish political parties, most notably 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...
, the Leader of Fine Gael has the power to dismiss or appoint their Deputy and to dismiss or appoint parliamentary party members to front bench positions. When Fine Gael is in opposition the leader usually acts as the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Ireland)
The Leader of the Opposition in the Republic of Ireland is the politician who, de facto, leads the Parliamentary Opposition in the lower house of the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann. The current incumbent is Micheál Martin TD of the Fianna Fáil party....
, and chairs the opposition front bench. Concordantly, when the party is in government, the leader would usually become 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...
, as well as appointing the cabinet.
List of Leaders
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) |
Portrait | Constituency | Term of Office | Taoiseach | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Eoin O'Duffy Eoin O'Duffy Eoin O'Duffy was in succession a Teachta Dála , the Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army , the second Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, leader of the Army Comrades Association and then the first leader of Fine Gael , before leading the Irish Brigade to fight for Francisco Franco during... (1892–1944) |
None | 1933 | 1934 | Éamon de Valera Éamon de Valera Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland... (1932–44) |
||
| 2. | W. T. Cosgrave (1880–1965) |
 |
Carlow–Kilkenny Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil Éireann constituency) Carlow–Kilkenny is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... (1921–27) Cork Borough Cork Borough (Dáil Éireann constituency) Cork Borough was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1921 to 1969... (1927–44) |
1934 | 1944 | ||
| 3. | Richard Mulcahy Richard Mulcahy Richard James Mulcahy was an Irish politician, army general and commander in chief, leader of Fine Gael and Cabinet Minister... (1886–1971) |
 |
Tipperary Tipperary (Dáil Éireann constituency) Tipperary was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1923 to 1948... |
1944 | 1959 | Éamon de Valera Éamon de Valera Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland... (1944–48) |
|
| John A. Costello John A. Costello John Aloysius Costello , a successful barrister, was one of the main legal advisors to the government of the Irish Free State after independence, Attorney General of Ireland from 1926–1932 and Taoiseach from 1948–1951 and 1954–1957.... (1948–51) |
|||||||
| Éamon de Valera (1951–54) | |||||||
| John A. Costello (1954–57) | |||||||
| Éamon de Valera (1957–59) | |||||||
| 4. | James Dillon (1902–1986) |
Monaghan Monaghan (Dáil Éireann constituency) Monaghan was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1921 to 1977. The constituency elected 3 deputies to the Dáil, using the single transferable vote form of proportional representation .- History :The constituency was... |
1959 | 1965 | Seán Lemass Seán Lemass Seán Francis Lemass was one of the most prominent Irish politicians of the 20th century. He served as Taoiseach from 1959 until 1966.... (1959–65) |
||
| 5. | Liam Cosgrave Liam Cosgrave Liam Cosgrave is an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach and as Leader of Fine Gael . He was a Teachta Dála from 1943 to 1981.... (1920–) |
Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1948 to 1977... |
1965 | 1977 | 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.... (1965–73) |
||
| Liam Cosgrave (1973–77) | |||||||
| 6. | Garret FitzGerald Garret FitzGerald Garret FitzGerald was an Irish politician who was twice Taoiseach of Ireland, serving in office from July 1981 to February 1982 and again from December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD in 1969. He... (1926–2011) |
 |
Dublin South East Dublin South East (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin South–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies... |
1977 | 1987 | Jack Lynch (1977–79) | |
| 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... (1979–81) |
|||||||
| Garret FitzGerald (1981–82) | |||||||
| Charles Haughey (1982) | |||||||
| Garret FitzGerald (1982–87) | |||||||
| 7. | Alan Dukes Alan Dukes Alan Dukes is a former Irish politician who served as leader of the Fine Gael political party and Teachta Dála for Kildare and Kildare South. He holds the distinction of being one of only five TDs to be appointed Minister on their first day in the Dáil. He lost his seat in the 2002 general election... (1945– ) |
Kildare Kildare (Dáil Éireann constituency) Kildare was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1923 to 1937 and from 1948 to 1997... |
1987 | 1990 | 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... (1987–90) |
||
| 8. | John Bruton John Bruton John Gerard Bruton is an Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 1994 to 1997. A minister under two taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave and Garret FitzGerald, Bruton held a number of the top posts in Irish government, including Minister for Finance , and Minister for Industry, Trade,... (1947– ) |
 |
Meath | 1990 | 2001 | Charles Haughey (1990–92) | |
| 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... (1992–94) |
|||||||
| John Bruton (1994–97) | |||||||
| 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.... (1997–2001) |
|||||||
| 9. | Michael Noonan Michael Noonan Michael Noonan is an Irish Fine Gael politician and has been the Minister for Finance since March 2011. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Limerick East and later Limerick City constituencies since 1981.... (1943– ) |
Limerick East | 2001 | 2002 | Bertie Ahern (2001–02) | ||
| 10. | Enda Kenny Enda Kenny Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since... (1951– ) |
Mayo Mayo (Dáil Éireann constituency) Mayo is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects five deputies... |
2002 | Incumbent | Bertie Ahern (2002–08) | ||
| Brian Cowen Brian Cowen Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May... (2008–11) |
|||||||
| Enda Kenny Enda Kenny Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since... (2011–present) |
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Deputy Leaders of Fine Gael
The Deputy Leader of Fine Gael is a senior politician within the Fine Gael political party in IrelandRepublic 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,...
. The post is currently held by James Reilly, who was appointed deputy on 1 July 2010.
Like other political party leaders, the leader of Fine Gael has the power to appoint of dismiss their deputy. The position is not an elected one and is largely honorific.
| Name (Birth–Death) |
Portrait | Constituency | Term of Office | Office(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom O'Higgins Tom O'Higgins Thomas Francis O'Higgins was an Irish Fine Gael politician, a barrister and a judge.Tom O'Higgins was born in Cork in 1916. He was the son of Thomas F. O'Higgins and the nephew of Kevin O'Higgins... (1916-2003) |
Dublin County South Dublin County South (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin County South was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1969 to 1981... |
20 April 1972 | ? | ||
| Peter Barry (1928-) |
Cork South Central Cork South Central (Dáil Éireann constituency) Cork South–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... |
14 September 1977 | 26 March 1987 | Spokesperson on Economic Affairs and Public Services Minister for the Environment Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs (Ireland) The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is the senior minister at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Government of Ireland. Its headquarters are at Iveagh House, on St Stephen's Green in Dublin; "Iveagh House" is often used as a metonym for the department as a whole.The current... Tánaiste Tánaiste The 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 :... |
|
| John Bruton John Bruton John Gerard Bruton is an Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 1994 to 1997. A minister under two taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave and Garret FitzGerald, Bruton held a number of the top posts in Irish government, including Minister for Finance , and Minister for Industry, Trade,... (1947-) |
|
Meath | 26 March 1987 | 20 November 1990 | Spokesperson on Industry and Commerce Spokesperson on Education |
| Peter Barry (1928-) |
Cork South Central Cork South Central (Dáil Éireann constituency) Cork South–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... |
14 January 1991 | 5 February 1993 | Spokesperson on Industry and Commerce | |
| Nora Owen Nora Owen Nora Owen , is a former Irish Fine Gael politician. She was a Teachta Dála for Dublin North from 1981 to 1987 and from 1989 to 2002. She also served as Minister for Justice from 1994 to 1997.-Early life:... (1945-) |
Dublin North | 3 March 1993 | 9 February 2001 | Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Minister for Justice Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
|
| Jim Mitchell (1946-2002) |
Dublin Central Dublin Central (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies... |
9 February 2001 | 17 May 2002 | Spokesperson on Finance | |
| Richard Bruton Richard Bruton Richard Bruton is an Irish Fine Gael politician and has been a Teachta Dála for the Dublin North Central constituency since 1982. He was appointed as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 9 March 2011... (1953-) |
Dublin North Central Dublin North Central (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin North–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies... |
12 June 2002 | 14 June 2010 | Spokesperson on Finance | |
| James Reilly (1955-) |
Dublin North | 1 July 2010 | Incumbent | Spokesperson on Health Minister for Health |