Vincent Brady
Encyclopedia
Vincent Brady is a former Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He served under Taoiseach
Charles Haughey
as Government Chief Whip (1987–1991) and Minister for Defence (1991–1992).
Vincent Brady was born in Dublin in 1936. He was educated at St Canices CBS and O'Connells CBS Nth Richmond Street (Congregation of Christian Brothers School) in Dublin and the College of Commerce in Rathmines
. He was a company director of a Machinery Distribution Commpany which he founded in 1970 before embarking on a career in politics. Brady was first elected to Dáil Éireann
at his first attempt in the 1977 general election
. Two years later he became involved in local politics when he was elected to Dublin City Council
. He was re-elected to the Council in 1985 as Alderman having topped the poll in Dublin Clontarf receiving the highest vote in the Country. In 1979 Fianna Fáil
faced its first leadership election
since 1966. It was a straight choice between Charles Haughey and George Colley
. Brady backed Haughey, his constituency colleague and eventual winner. He continued to back Haughey during the three heaves against him in the early 1980s. During the early 1980s he was a Member of the Council of Europe.
In 1984 Brady joined the front bench of the party as Chief Whip
. In 1987 Fianna Fáil were back in power and Brady was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach
and Defence, effectively Government Chief Whip. He served in that position until November 1991, when he joined the cabinet as Minister for Defence
. He remained in that position until February 1992 when Albert Reynolds
became Taoiseach
and sacked Brady along with many other Senior Ministers who had served under Haughey. Brady retired from politics at the 1992 general election
. Following his retirement from politics he concentrated on continued development of his Distribution business.
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...
politician. He served under 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...
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...
as Government Chief Whip (1987–1991) and Minister for Defence (1991–1992).
Vincent Brady was born in Dublin in 1936. He was educated at St Canices CBS and O'Connells CBS Nth Richmond Street (Congregation of Christian Brothers School) in Dublin and the College of Commerce in Rathmines
Rathmines
Rathmines is a suburb on the southside of Dublin, about 3 kilometres south of the city centre. It effectively begins at the south side of the Grand Canal and stretches along the Rathmines Road as far as Rathgar to the south, Ranelagh to the east and Harold's Cross to the west.Rathmines has...
. He was a company director of a Machinery Distribution Commpany which he founded in 1970 before embarking on a career in politics. Brady was first 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...
at his first attempt in 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...
. Two years later he became involved in local politics when he was elected to Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
. He was re-elected to the Council in 1985 as Alderman having topped the poll in Dublin Clontarf receiving the highest vote in the Country. In 1979 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...
faced its first leadership election
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...
since 1966. It was a straight choice between Charles Haughey and 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...
. Brady backed Haughey, his constituency colleague and eventual winner. He continued to back Haughey during the three heaves against him in the early 1980s. During the early 1980s he was a Member of the Council of Europe.
In 1984 Brady joined the front bench of the party as Chief Whip
Chief Whip
The Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.-The Whips Office:...
. In 1987 Fianna Fáil were back in power and Brady was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach
The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, officially styled as the Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip, is the Chief Whip of the Government of Ireland and is the most senior Minister of State...
and Defence, effectively Government Chief Whip. He served in that position until November 1991, when he joined the cabinet as Minister for Defence
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
. He remained in that position until February 1992 when 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...
and sacked Brady along with many other Senior Ministers who had served under Haughey. Brady retired from politics at the 1992 general election
Irish general election, 1992
The Irish general election of 1992 was held on Wednesday, 25 November 1992, almost three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 5 November. However, after difficulties in forming a government the newly elected 166 members of the 27th Dáil did not assemble at Leinster House until 4 January 1993...
. Following his retirement from politics he concentrated on continued development of his Distribution business.