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Fianna Fáil: The Republican Party

Fianna Fáil represents the mainstream of Irish life. It is the only party which on several occasions has commanded overall majorities in Dáil Éireann. Since its foundation Fianna Fáil has been the single most coherent force in Irish politics, so much so indeed that alternative governments have been characterised by their opposition to Fianna Fáil as their only common bond. Electorally Fianna Fáil is second only to the Social Democrats in Sweden in its length of tenure in office.

Fianna Fáil adheres to the great democratic principle of government of the people, by the people and for the people. The party's name incorporates the words ‘The Republican Party' in its title. Republican here stands both for the unity of the island and a commitment to the historic principles of European republican philosophy, namely liberty, equality and fraternity.

Fianna Fáil has always had a ‘can do' attitude. The Party has always been positive and never defeatist in its thinking. Fianna Fáil aims to unite all in a common identity of self-confident Irish men and women in a dynamic, vibrant, prosperous nation.

CONSTITUTION OF FIANNA FÁIL

1. Fianna Fáil is a National Movement. Its aims are:-

(i) To secure in peace and agreement the unity of Ireland and its people.

(ii) To develop a distinctive national life in accordance with the diverse traditions and ideals of the Irish people as part of a broader European culture, and to restore and promote the Irish language as a living language of the people.

(iii) To guarantee religious and civil liberty, and equal rights, equal treatment and equal opportunities for all the people of Ireland.

(iv) To develop the resources and wealth of Ireland to their full potential, while making them subservient to the needs and welfare of all the people of Ireland, so as to provide the maximum sustainable employment, based on fostering a spirit of enterprise and self-reliance and on social partnership.

(v) To protect the natural environment and heritage of Ireland and to ensure a balance between town and country and between the regions, and to maintain as many families as practicable on the land.

(vi) To promote the family, and a wider sense of social responsibility, and to uphold the rule of law in the interest of the welfare and safety of the public.

(vii) To maintain the status of Ireland as a sovereign State, as a full member of the European Union and the United Nations, contributing to peace, disarmament and development on the basis of Ireland's independent foreign policy tradition.

(viii) To reform the laws and institutions of State, to make them efficient, humane, caring and responsive to the needs of the citizen.

2. The Movement shall be organised and known as Fianna Fáil, The Republican Party, in accordance with the Rules annexed hereto.

3. Membership of Fianna Fáil is open to all persons of Irish birth, parentage, grand-parentage or persons ordinarily and legally resident in Ireland who accept the Constitution and Rules
of Fianna Fáil;

History of Fianna Fáil

  • 1926 - Fianna Fáil founded in the La Scala Theatre, O'Connell Street Dublin.
  • 1932 - First Fianna Fáil government led by Eamon de Valera elected. Oath of Allegiance abolished.
  • 1937 - New constitution enacted in the Irish Free State. The British Monarch is replaced as Head of State by an elected president. The name of the state is changed to Éire (Ireland).
  • 1938 - End of British occupation of three naval bases that had been left in British hands by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921.
  • 1939 - The Emergency - Ireland remains neutral.
  • 1958 - Programme for economic expansion published - establishes a five year plan of public investment with a target of 2% economic growth per annum.
  • 1959 - Eamon de Valera resigns as leader of Fianna Fáil and is replaced by Seán Lemass TD.
  • 1959 - Fianna Fáil under Lemass built up the country's industry behind a tariff wall and promoted State boards to develop turf resources (Bord na Móna) and to provide Ireland with a national airline (Aer Lingus) and shipping company (Irish Shipping).
  • 1973 - Republic of Ireland joins European Economic Community.
  • 1977 - Fianna Fáil gains a large majority in the General Election.
  • 1979 - Charles J Haughey succeeds Jack Lynch as Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil.
  • 1985 - Anglo-Irish Agreement signed.
  • 1987 - Charles J Haughey elected Taoiseach.
  • 1989 - Fianna Fáil enters First Coalition Government with Progressive Democrats.
  • 1992 - Albert Reynolds succeeds Charles Haughey as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. The Treaty on the European Union (also known as the Maastricht Treaty) passes the referendum hurdle (voters approved another change to article 29 of the Constitution).
  • 1994 - Bertie Ahern succeeds Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. The IRA call a historic ceasefire.
  • 1997 - Fianna Fáil wins General Election.
  • 1998 - Irish and UK governments sign the Good Friday Agreement.
  • 2002 - Bertie Ahern led Fianna Fáil Government win General Election.
  • 2004 - Under the Irish Presidency of the European Union, the accession of ten new member states takes place. A new European Constitution is also negotiated under the stewardship of Bertie Ahern.
  • 2007 - Fianna Fáil Government under the leadership of Bertie Ahern wins General Election
  • 2008 - Brian Cowen succeeds Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. 

Fianna Fáil Taoisigh