Desmond O\'Malley - Citizendia

Desmond O'Malley

Leader of the Progressive Democrats
In office 21 December 1985 – 12 October 1993
Preceded by	Newly created position
Succeeded by	Mary Harney
Minister for Trade, Commerce & Tourism
In office 9 March 1982 – 7 October 1982
Preceded by	John Kelly
Succeeded by	Paddy Power
Minister for Industry & Commerce
In office 12 July 1989 – 4 November 1992
Preceded by	Ray Burke
Succeeded by	Pádraig Flynn
In office 5 July 1977 – 30 June 1981
Preceded by	Justin Keating
Succeeded by	John Kelly
Minister for Justice
In office 5 May 1970 – 14 March 1973
Preceded by	Micheál Ó Moráin
Succeeded by	Patrick Cooney

Born	2 February 1939 (1939-02-02) (age 69) Limerick Ireland
Political party	(1) Fianna Fáil (1968-1985) (2) Progressive Democrats (1985-2002)

Desmond Joseph (Des) O'Malley (Irish: Deasún Ó Máille; born 2 February 1939) was an Irish politician. The Progressive Democrats (An Páirtí Daonlathach lit The Democratic Party) commonly called The PDs, are a Free market liberal party in Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Mary Harney (Máire Ní Áirne born 11 March 1953 is an Irish politician and is the current Minister for Health & Children. The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment (Aire Fiontar Trádála agus Fostaíochta is the senior minister at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar) Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) John Maurice Kelly (31 August 1931 &ndash 24 January 1991 was an Irish legal academic and senior Fine Gael politician Patrick (Paddy Power (Pádraig de Paor born 19 November 1928 is a former Irish Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD and Minister of the Haughey era The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment (Aire Fiontar Trádála agus Fostaíochta is the senior minister at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Raphael Patrick "Ray" Burke (Rae de Búrca born 30 September 1943 in Dublin, Ireland. Pádraig "Pee" Flynn (born 9 May 1939 is a former Irish politician Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Justin Keating (Saorbhreathach Céitinn born 7 January 1930 was a senior Irish Labour Party politician John Maurice Kelly (31 August 1931 &ndash 24 January 1991 was an Irish legal academic and senior Fine Gael politician The Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform (Aire Dlí agus Cirt Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí is the senior minister at the Department of Justice Equality Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Micheál Ó Móráin (25 December 1912 &ndash 6 May 1983 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician Patrick (Paddy Cooney (born 2 March 1931 is a former Irish politician of the Fine Gael party Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Limerick (pronounced /ˈlɪmrɪk/ Luimneach in Irish) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the Province of Munster Éire (ˈeːrʲə) is the Irish name for the island of Ireland and of the state of the same name. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the The Progressive Democrats (An Páirtí Daonlathach lit The Democratic Party) commonly called The PDs, are a Free market liberal party in Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person Once prominent as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) and government minister in the 1970s and 1980s, he went on to found the Progressive Democrats and serve as the party's first leader from 1985 until 1993. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the A Teachta Dála (ˈtʲaxtə ˈdɑːlə is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Oireachtas (Parliament of the Republic of Ireland. The Progressive Democrats (An Páirtí Daonlathach lit The Democratic Party) commonly called The PDs, are a Free market liberal party in

1 Early life
2 Fianna Fáil majority
3 Opposition to Haughey
4 Expulsion from Fianna Fáil
5 The Progressive Democrats
6 Coalition with Fianna Fáil
7 Retirement
8 Political career
9 See also

Early life

O'Malley was born in Limerick City, Ireland in 1939. Limerick (pronounced /ˈlɪmrɪk/ Luimneach in Irish) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the Province of Munster Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. He was educated at the Jesuit Crescent College and at University College Dublin where he qualified with a degree in law in 1962. The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu, SJ and SI or SJ, SI) is a Catholic religious order Crescent College Comprehensive SJ is a Secondary school located on a section of 40 acres (162000 m² of parkland at Dooradoyle Limerick, Ireland University College Dublin (UCD (An Coláiste Ollscoile Baile Átha Cliath - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland Dublin (An O’Malley’s family had been involved in politics for many decades. His grandfather was killed during the War of Independence by the Black and Tans. The Irish War of Independence (or Tan War, or Anglo-Irish War, Irish: Cogadh na Saoirse) from January 1919 to July 1921 was a guerrilla Two of his uncles and his father held the office of Mayor of Limerick. Limerick (pronounced /ˈlɪmrɪk/ Luimneach in Irish) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the Province of Munster

O'Malley's uncle, Donagh O'Malley, as Minister for Education was a seminal figure in the development of Irish education. The Minister for Education and Science (An Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta is the senior minister at the Department of Education and Science in the Government He died suddenly on his way to a function in Ennis, County Clare in 1968 while still in office. Ennis ( is the County town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway County Clare ( Irish: Contae an Chláir) commonly referred to as simply Clare, is a county on Ireland and part of the wider The young O'Malley was elected to Dáil Éireann for Fianna Fáil in the subsequent by-election in the Limerick East constituency. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament This is a list of all By-elections to Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament ( Oireachtas) since 1923 Limerick East is a Constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. Much of the credit for O'Malley's by-election victory on 22 May was due, it was commonly believed at the time, to Neil Blaney and his "Donegal Mafia". Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Neil Terence Columba Blaney (1 October 1922 &ndash 8 November 1995 was a senior Irish politician These supposedly helped ensure that O'Malley won the election after a bitter and acrimonious selection convention.

Following the 1969 general election O'Malley was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach, during which time he also acted as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence. The Irish general election of 1969 was held on 18 June 1969 just over four years after its predecessor The Taoiseach (ˈtiːʃəx in English t̪ˠiːʃʲəx (plural Taoisigh ( or) in Irish) also referred to as An Taoiseach ( t̪ˠiːʃʲəx is the the The Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, noticed early on the ability and intelligence that lay in O'Malley. John Mary "Jack" Lynch ( Irish: Seán Ó Loinsigh; 15 August 1917 &ndash 20 October 1999 was the fourth Taoiseach of Ireland, From an early stage he was singled out as a possible future leader of the Fianna Fáil Party and Taoiseach.

As Parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Defence, Jim Gibbons, O'Malley had a central role in the Arms Crisis of 1970. James "Jim" Gibbons (Séamus Mac Giobúin 3 August 1924 &ndash 20 December 1997 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician The Arms Crisis or Arms Trial ( Irish: Géarchéim na nAirm or Triail na nAirm) was a Political scandal in the Republic of Ireland It is a contested point as to how big a role O'Malley's played in preparing this seminal case for the state. The case against the accused government ministers (Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney) was quickly dismissed in the Supreme Court and the ministers were acquitted. Neil Terence Columba Blaney (1 October 1922 &ndash 8 November 1995 was a senior Irish politician While they were dropped from the cabinet, Charles Haughey would later come back as Taoiseach nine years later, with memories still very much alive of O'Malley's role in the prosecution.

Many questions remain around the Arms Crisis. Files went missing from the Department of Justice. O'Malley's later claimed to want to illuminate "dark passages" of Irish political life.

In the wake of the Arms Crisis in 1970 O'Malley succeeded Micheál Ó Móráin as Minister for Justice. Micheál Ó Móráin (25 December 1912 &ndash 6 May 1983 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician The Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform (Aire Dlí agus Cirt Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí is the senior minister at the Department of Justice Equality During his tenure at Justice O'Malley started to tackle the problem of the Provisional IRA. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the He wanted to introduce internment without trial for IRA suspects in the Republic but his plans were scrapped due to the controversial nature of this new legislation. Because of his hard-line on the IRA he was the subject of an ongoing assassination threat and was forced to carry a loaded pistol and was frequently moved from house to house.

Fianna Fáil majority

In the 1977 general election Fianna Fáil received a 23 seat majority in Dáil Éireann. The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in 20th century Irish politics The major portfolios were all dominated by Jack Lynch's supporters - George Colley became Minister for Finance, Martin O'Donoghue was appointed Minister for Economic Planning & Development while O'Malley became Minister for Industry and Commerce. For the British soldier see George Pomeroy Colley George Colley (Seoirse Ó Colla 18 October 1925 &ndash 17 September 1983 was an Irish Martin O'Donoghue BComm PhD FTCD(1969 (born 1933 is an Irish economist The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment (Aire Fiontar Trádála agus Fostaíochta is the senior minister at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment O'Malley worked well and was well suited to the challenge of his portfolio; the proposed Carnsore Point nuclear plant was, however, a low point. Carnsore Point ( Carn tSóir in Irish) is a headland in the very South East corner of County Wexford, Ireland.

Two years later in 1979 Lynch resigned as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. Two candidates emerged in the leadership contest, George Colley and Charles Haughey. The 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in December 1979 when Jack Lynch resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. O'Malley and O'Donoghue managed Colley's campaign; however, neither of them knew that most of the backbench TDs were going to vote for Haughey, who won. In the days after the ballot Colley, O'Malley and O'Donoghue considered whether they would even vote for Haughey's nomination as Taoiseach. However when it came to it all three voted for Haughey. Colley and O'Malley retained their positions in the government, however, Martin O'Donoghue's department was scrapped.

Opposition to Haughey

Following the February 1982 general election Fianna Fáil, led by Haughey, failed to win an overall majority in the Dáil. The Irish general election of February 1982 was held on 18 February 1982 three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 27 January The party met a few days later to discuss the issue of the leadership of the Party and the nomination for Taoiseach. Haughey was seen as the main reason for the election defeat. George Colley dropped his own claims to the succession and threw all of his support behind O'Malley who was seen as a more acceptable candidate to a deeply divided Party and electorate. When the meeting was held a vote on the leadership was not taken and O'Malley withdrew his challenge. Some of his key supporters, including Martin O'Donoghue, urged him to back out at the last minute. He had no choice but to concede. Haughey was elected Taoiseach and O'Malley was still appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism.

On 1 October 1982, another challenge to Haughey was initiated, this time by the Kildare TD, Charlie McCreevy. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Charles "Charlie" McCreevy, ( Irish name: Cathal Mac Riabhaigh) born 30 September 1949 is an Irish politician McCreevy although a supporter of Haughey grew disillusioned with his economic policies and put down a motion of no confidence in the leader. O'Malley was on holiday in Spain at the time but rushed back to join the campaign. He disagreed with the timing of the challenge but had no choice but to put his own name forward as a possible alternative to Haughey. On the morning of the vote O'Malley and his supporters resigned from the Cabinet due to the fact that they were going to vote against Haughey. After the meeting that went on all day and all night Haughey won an open vote by 58 votes to 22. The TDs who voted against Haughey eventually became known as the Gang of 22. The " Gang of 22 " was a group of Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála í who were opposed to the leadership of Charles Haughey in the early 1980s

In 1983 a new Fine Gael–Labour Party government was in power. Fine Gael – The United Ireland Party, shortened to Fine Gael (ˌfina gail meaning Family of the Irish or Tribe of the Irish, is the second largest The Labour Party (Páirtí an Lucht Oibre is a Democratic socialist and Social democratic Political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Minister for Justice, Michael Noonan, revealed that the last government was involved in the tapping of certain journalists telephones. Michael Noonan (Micheál Ó Nuanáin born 21 May 1943 is an Irish politician and was Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Fine Gael from February 2001 Haughey was implicated in the scandal because it occurred during his tenure as Taoiseach. This time it looked as if the game was up and that he would resign. The race to succeed him began with O'Malley, Gerard Collins, Michael O'Kennedy, Brian Lenihan and John P. Wilson all showing an interest in the post of Party leader, even while Haughey was still in power. James Gerard "Gerry" Collins (Gearóid Ó Coileáin born 16 October 1938 is a former senior Irish politician Michael O'Kennedy (Micheál Ó Cinnéide born 21 February 1936 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician Brian Patrick Lenihan (Brian Ó Luineacháin 17 November 1930 – 1 November 1995 was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician John Patrick Wilson (Seán Mac Uilliam 8 July 1923 &ndash 9 July 2007 was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician On 7 February 1983, Fianna Fáil met to debate the issue. Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) The report into the telephone tapping was read out and it cleared Haughey from any wrong-doing and put more blame on Martin O'Donoghue than the other TDs involved. His opponents were sceptical and were determined to push the issue to a secret ballot. A vote was taken however Haughey carried the day by winning 40 votes to 33.

With Haughey now completely in control of the party, O'Malley and his supporters became disillusioned. George Colley died in 1983 and O'Donoghue was no longer a TD. O'Malley also became isolated within Fianna Fáil with many of his supporters giving up hope of ever beating Charlie Haughey.

Expulsion from Fianna Fáil

In May 1984 the New-Ireland Forum Report was published. Haughey was a key figure in the Forum and agreed to several possible solutions for solving the problem of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of However when the report became public Haughey backtracked and said the only possible solution was a United Ireland. A United Ireland is the term used to refer to a sovereign state encompassing the whole of the island of Ireland. This statement was criticised by the other leaders who forged the New-Ireland Forum, namely Garret FitzGerald, Dick Spring and John Hume. Garret FitzGerald (Gearóid Mac Gearailt born 9 February 1926 was the seventh Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office (July 1981 to February 1982 December Richard "Dick" Spring (born 29 August 1950 in Tralee, County Kerry) is a businessman and former senior Irish politician John Hume (born 18 January 1937) is a former Politician in Northern Ireland, founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party

O'Malley strongly criticised Haughey's position and accused him of stifling debate. At a meeting of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party to discuss the report the whip was removed from O'Malley and he was no longer a Fianna Fáil TD, being forced to sit on the Independent TD benches along with another Fianna Fáil exile, the hard-line Irish Republican Neil Blaney. Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic Neil Terence Columba Blaney (1 October 1922 &ndash 8 November 1995 was a senior Irish politician

In early 1985 a bill was introduced by the Fine Gael–Labour Party government to liberalise the sale of contraceptives in the country. Fianna Fáil opposed the bill. O'Malley considered it a matter of conscience over anything else and wanted to support it. On the day of the vote O'Malley delivered an electrifying speech in the Dáil chamber. He said:

The politics of this would be very easy. The politics would be to be one of the lads, the safest way in Ireland. But I do not believe that the interests of this State or our Constitution and of this Republic would be served by putting politics before conscience in regard to this. There is a choice of a kind that can only be answered by saying that I stand by the Republic and accordingly, I will not oppose this Bill. ([1])

O'Malley left his Fianna Fáil colleagues squirming in their seats as he completely dismantled their argument. When it came to a vote he abstained rather than cross the floor and vote with the government. Haughey wasn't going to let this slide. On 26 February 1985, O'Malley was summoned to a Party meeting and was charged with "conduct unbecoming". Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Following a roll-call vote O'Malley was expelled from the Fianna Fáil organisation by 73 votes to 9. After three attempts by O'Malley to oust Haughey, Haughey had finally won and was in complete control of the Party. At the age of 46 it looked as if O'Malley's political career was over.

The Progressive Democrats

Immediately after O'Malley's expulsion he was contacted by a young Fine Gael activist named Michael McDowell. Michael McDowell (Mícheál Mac Dubhghaill born 29 May 1951 Senior Counsel of the Irish bar is a former Irish politician who helped found the Progressive He encouraged O'Malley to found a new political party and offered any help he could give. On 21 December 1985, O'Malley announced publicly for the first time the formation of the Progressive Democrats. Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Several Fianna Fáil TDs joined including Mary Harney and Bobby Molloy. Mary Harney (Máire Ní Áirne born 11 March 1953 is an Irish politician and is the current Minister for Health & Children. Bobby Molloy (Roibeard Ó Maolmhuaidh born 9 July 1936 is a former Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats politician in Ireland. Within a few weeks the Party numbers swelled and tens of thousands of pounds were collected in donations.

In the 1987 general election the Progressive Democrats won 14 seats making it the third biggest party in the Dáil. The Irish general election of 1987 was held on 17 February 1987 four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 20 January Among the TDs elected were O'Malley and his cousin Patrick O'Malley; Anne Colley, daughter of George Colley, Martin Gibbons, son of the former Fianna Fáil Minister and Martin Cullen. Patrick O'Malley (born 1 July 1943 is a former Irish Progressive Democrats politician Anne Colley (born July 1951 is a former Irish Progressive Democrats politician who represented Dublin South from 1987 to 1989 Martin Gibbons (born 1 March 1953 is an Irish farmer and former Progressive Democrat TD who represented Carlow-Kilkenny in Dáil Éireann Martin Cullen (Máirtín Ó Cuilinn born 2 November 1954 is a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician Fianna Fáil returned to power with Haughey as head of a minority government.

Coalition with Fianna Fáil

In May 1989 Haughey made one of his biggest political mistakes. He called an early general election in the hope of winning an overall majority. The Irish general election of 1989 was held on Friday 15 June 1989 three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 25 May When the results came in Fianna Fáil actually lost seats. The Progressive Democrats lost 8 seats but they still held the balance of power. Haughey had failed to be elected Taoiseach in the Dáil vote with O'Malley's Progressive Democrats voting for Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes. Alan Dukes (born 20 April 1945 is an Irish politician a former leader of the Fine Gael Political party and former Teachta Dála (TD for After Haughey formally resigned he entered into negotiations with the Progressive Democrats about forming a coalition. The vast majority of Haughey's Cabinet was vehemently opposed to any coalition deal but Haughey was desperate for power. On 5 July 1989, Haughey and O'Malley agreed a deal for government. Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) In the new cabinet O'Malley was appointed Minister for Industry & Commerce.

In 1990 the Fianna Fáil nominee in the presidential election was Brian Lenihan, a hugely popular figure in politics. The Irish presidential election of 1990 was held on 7 November 1990 Brian Patrick Lenihan (Brian Ó Luineacháin 17 November 1930 – 1 November 1995 was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician A few weeks before the election a scandal broke surrounding Lenihan and the accusation that he phoned President Hillery in 1982, asking him not to dissolve the Dáil following the fall of Garret FitzGerald's government. Patrick John "Paddy" Hillery (Pádraig Seán Ó hIrighile 2 May 1923 &ndash 12 April 2008 was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and the sixth President of Ireland Lenihan had always denied this, but now new evidence had come to light. O'Malley was very concerned over this and the effect it would have on the coalition. He met with Haughey and told him that the Progressive Democrats would pull out of the coalition and support a no-confidence motion tabled by the opposition unless 1) Lenihan left the Government or 2) Haughey opened an investigation into the 1982 incident. Ultimately, Haughey sacked Lenihan.

In early 1992 the programme for government was up for renewal by both parties. When it was revealed by Seán Doherty that Haughey had authorised the tapping of two journalists' telephones in 1982, O'Malley decided that the Progressive Democrats could no longer remain in a government led by Haughey. Seán Doherty (Seán Ó Dochartaigh 29 June 1944 &ndash 7 June 2005 known informally as The Doc, was a controversial Irish Fianna Fáil politician and Haughey eventually resigned on 11 February 1992 and was replaced by Albert Reynolds. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Albert Reynolds (Ailbhe Mac Raghnaill born 4 November 1932 served as the eighth Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994

O'Malley and the Progressive Democrats continued in government until the Beef Tribunal. When Reynolds accused O'Malley of being 'dishonest' while giving evidence, the Progressive Democrats immediately withdrew from the government and a general election was called. 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 Fianna Fáil returned to power in coalition with the Labour Party. The Progressive Democrats were now confined to the Opposition benches.

Retirement

In October 1993 O'Malley retired as leader of the Progressive Democrats. He was succeeded by Mary Harney, one of the co-founders of the party. In 1994 O'Malley ran for the European Parliament but was defeated by Pat Cox, a sitting MEP who left the PDs to run as an independent when O'Malley was selected as the candidate to replace him. Pat Cox (born 28 November 1952 is a former Irish politician and television current affairs presenter He remained on as a TD until his complete retirement from politics at the 2002 general election, when he was succeeded as TD by his cousin, Tim O'Malley. 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 Tim O'Malley (Tadhg Ó Máille born 3 July 1944 is an Irish Progressive Democrats politician His daughter, Fiona O'Malley, was elected to the Dáil as a Progressive Democrats TD continuing the O'Malley dynasty that lasted from 1954. Fiona O'Malley (born 19 January 1968 is an Irish Progressive Democrats politician and is currently a member of the 23rd Seanad Éireann having been

Vehemently opposed to Charles Haughey's leadership throughout his political career, Desmond O'Malley is regarded as a 'Taoiseach that never was' due largely to his position on the high moral ground where the national electorate rarely treads.

In 1999, Jack Lynch, the 1970s leader of Fianna Fáil died, and O'Malley was selected to give the graveside oration, a tradition at the burial of political leaders in Ireland. John Mary "Jack" Lynch ( Irish: Seán Ó Loinsigh; 15 August 1917 &ndash 20 October 1999 was the fourth Taoiseach of Ireland, This was remarkable, because the orator is usually chosen for their fidelity to the political beliefs of the leader being buried, and O'Malley had led a damaging split from Fianna Fáil. The selection of O'Malley to give the oration suggested that Lynch's family believed that, in the great dispute with Haughey, it was Haughey, not O'Malley, who had betrayed Fianna Fáil ideals.

Political career

Oireachtas
Preceded by Donagh O'Malley	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Limerick East 1968–1985	Succeeded by *O'Malley leaves Fianna Fáil and founds the Progressive Democrats*
Preceded by *O'Malley was previously a member of Fianna Fáil*	Progressive Democrats Teachta Dála for Limerick East 1985–2002	Succeeded by Tim O'Malley
Political offices
Preceded by Michael Carty	Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) 1969–1970	Succeeded by David Andrews
Preceded by Michael Carty	Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1969–1970	Succeeded by David Andrews
Preceded by Micheál Ó Móráin	Minister for Justice 1970–1973	Succeeded by Patrick Cooney
Preceded by Justin Keating	Minister for Industry & Commerce 1977–1981	Succeeded by John Kelly
Preceded by John Kelly	Minister for Trade, Commerce & Tourism Feb. The Oireachtas (ɛrʲaxt̪ˠasˠ is the "national parliament" or Legislature of Ireland, sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the A Teachta Dála (ˈtʲaxtə ˈdɑːlə is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Oireachtas (Parliament of the Republic of Ireland. Limerick East is a Constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The Progressive Democrats (An Páirtí Daonlathach lit The Democratic Party) commonly called The PDs, are a Free market liberal party in A Teachta Dála (ˈtʲaxtə ˈdɑːlə is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Oireachtas (Parliament of the Republic of Ireland. Limerick East is a Constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. Tim O'Malley (Tadhg Ó Máille born 3 July 1944 is an Irish Progressive Democrats politician Michael Carty (16 December 1916 &ndash 23 April 1975 was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach is essentially the Irish Government Chief Whip and is the most senior Minister of State. David Andrews (born 15 March 1936 is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician and Barrister. The Minister of State at the Department of Defence is a junior ministerial post in the Irish Department of Defence. Micheál Ó Móráin (25 December 1912 &ndash 6 May 1983 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician The Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform (Aire Dlí agus Cirt Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí is the senior minister at the Department of Justice Equality Patrick (Paddy Cooney (born 2 March 1931 is a former Irish politician of the Fine Gael party Justin Keating (Saorbhreathach Céitinn born 7 January 1930 was a senior Irish Labour Party politician The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment (Aire Fiontar Trádála agus Fostaíochta is the senior minister at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment John Maurice Kelly (31 August 1931 &ndash 24 January 1991 was an Irish legal academic and senior Fine Gael politician John Maurice Kelly (31 August 1931 &ndash 24 January 1991 was an Irish legal academic and senior Fine Gael politician The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment (Aire Fiontar Trádála agus Fostaíochta is the senior minister at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment 1982–Oct. 1982	Succeeded by Pádraig Flynn
Preceded by Newly Created Party	Leader of the Progressive Democrats 1985–1993	Succeeded by Mary Harney
Preceded by Ray Burke	Minister for Industry & Commerce 1989–1992	Succeeded by Pádraig Flynn

Contents