Desmond (Dessie) Joseph O'Malley (born February 2, 1939), was a senior Fianna Fáil politician, the founder of the Progressive Democrats and the party's first leader (1985-1993). He served as a TD since 1968 and as Minister at the Departments of Justice and Industry & Commerce. February 2 is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... The Progressive Democrats (in Irish An Páirtí Daonlathach) is a free market liberal party in the Republic of Ireland founded in 1985. ... A TD or Teachta Dála (Irish for Dáil Deputy, pronounced chock-ta dawla) is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Irish Oireachtas (pronounced orr-och-tas) or National Parliament. ...

Desmond O'Malley was born on in Limerick City in 1939. He was educated Crescent College, Limerick and University College Dublin where he qualified as a solicitor in 1962. In 1968 his uncle, Donagh O'Malley who was the then Minister for Education, died suddenly on his way to a function in Ennis, County Clare. The young O'Malley was elected to Dáil Éireann in the subsequent by-election. The new TD shared his uncle's intelligence but was a much more diligent and sober character. This article is about the city in Ireland. ... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Crescent College Comprehensive SJ is a Jesuit-run secondary school located on 40 acres of parkland at Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland. ... University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin - more commonly University College Dublin (UCD) - is Irelands largest university, with over 20,000 students. ... 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1968 was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... Donagh OMalley ( 1921- 1968) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... The Minister for Education & Science is the chief person at the Department of Education & Science is engaged in a wide range of activities covering pllicy planning, quality assurance and providing a broad range of services for education in the Republic of Ireland. ... Poulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren, County Clare, Ireland, 2004. ... Dáil Éireann[1] is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ...

Young Politician

Following the 1969 General Election O'Malley was appointed Government Chief Whip as well as Parliamentary Secretary to an Taoiseach. The Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, noticed early on the ability that lay in O'Malley. From an early stage he was singled out as a possible future leader of the Party and Taoiseach. The Irish general election of 1969 was held on June 18, 1969. ... The Taoiseach (plural: Taoisigh) or, more formally, An Taoiseach, is the head of government of the Republic of Ireland and the leader of the Irish cabinet1. ... John (Jack) Mary Lynch (Irish name Seán Ó Loingsigh) (August 15, 1917-October 20, 1999), was the fourth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. ...

In 1970 O'Malley succeeded Micheál Ó Moráin as Minister for Justice, just two days before the revelations of the Arms Crisis became public. During his tenure at Justice O'Malley started to tackle the IRA. 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. 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Micheál Ó Moráin was a senior Irish politician. ... The Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform is the chief minister in charge of law and order in the Republic of Ireland. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Fianna Fáil Majority

In 1977 Fianna Fáil received a 23 seat majority in Dáil Éireann following the General Election. 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. 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. 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... Dáil Éireann[1] is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ... John (Jack) Mary Lynch (Irish name Seán Ó Loingsigh) (August 15, 1917-October 20, 1999), was the fourth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. ... George Colley (1925 - 1983), was a senior Irish politician. ... Martin ODonoghue (b. ... The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is one of the most important economic ministeries in the Irish Cabinet. ... Carnsore Point in County Wexford, Ireland is famous for being the proposed location of the Nuclear Energy Board power plant which was to be built in the 1970s. ...

Two years later in 1979 Lynch resigned as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. Two candidates contested the leadership, George Colley and Charles Haughey. O'Malley and O'Donoghue managed Colley's campaign. 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 Cabinet. Martin O'Donoghue and his department were scrapped. 1979 is a common year starting on Monday. ... George Colley (1925 - 1983), was a senior Irish politician. ... Charles (Charlie) James Haughey (Irish name Cathal Ó hEochaidh) (born September 16, 1925), was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving three terms in office; 1979 to 1981, 1982 and 1987 to 1992. ...

Opposition to Haughey

Following the 1982 General Election Fianna Fáil, led by Haughey, failed to win an overall majority in the Dáil. 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 wasn't 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. The Irish general election of February 1982 was held on February 18, 1982, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on January 27. ... George Colley (1925 - 1983), was a senior Irish politician. ...

In October 1, 1982 another challenge to Haughey was initiated, this time by the Kildare TD, Charlie McCreevy. McCreevy, although he supported 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 goinhg 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. October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in Leap years). ... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A TD or Teachta Dála (Irish for Dáil Deputy, pronounced chock-ta dawla) is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Irish Oireachtas (pronounced orr-och-tas) or National Parliament. ... Charlie McCreevy Charles (Charlie) McCreevy, (born September 1949) is a senior Irish politician. ...

In 1983 a new Fine Gael-Labour government was in power. The Minister for Justice, Michael Noonan, revealed that the last government was involved in the tapping of certain journalists telephones. 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 On February 7, 1983 Fianna Fáil met to debate the issue. 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. 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fine Gael (IPA in English and in Irish, approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in both the Republic of Ireland and Ireland as a whole. ... Logo of the Irish Labour Party The Irish Labour Party (Irish: Páirti an Lucht Oibre) is the third largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... This article is about Michael Noonan the Fine Gael politician. ... James Gerard Collins (born October, 1938) was a senior Irish politician. ... Michael OKennedy, (born February, 1936) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... Brian Lenihan (November 17, 1930 - November 1, 1995) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... John P. Wilson (born 1923) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. However when the report became public Haughey backtracked and said the only possible solution was a United Ireland. This statement was criticised by the other leaders who forged the New-Ireland Forum, namely Garret FitzGerald, Dick Spring and John Hume. 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 Neil Blaney. 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Northern Ireland is one of four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. ... A United Ireland is the common demand of Irish nationalists, envisaging that the island of Ireland (currently divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) be reunited as a single political entity. ... Dr. Garret FitzGerald (Irish: Gearóid MacGearailt) (born February 9, 1926) was the seventh Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; July 1981 to February 1982, and December 1982 to March 1987. ... Richard (Dick) Spring (born August 29, 1950 in Tralee County Kerry), is a businessman and former senior Irish politician. ... John Hume - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Neil Blaney (October 1, 1922 - November 8, 1995), was a senior Irish politician. ...

In early 1985 a bill was introduced by the Fine Gael-Labour government to liberalise the sale of contraceptives in the country. Fianna Fáil opposed the bill for the sheer sake of opposing it. 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: 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ...

The politics of this would be very. The politics would be to be one of the lads, the safest way in Ireland. But I don 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.

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 February 26, 1985 O'Malley was summoned to a Party meeting and was charged with 'conduct unbecoming.' 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. February 26 is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Progressive Democrats

Immediately after O'Malley's expulsion he was contacted by a young Fine Gael activist named Michael McDowell. He encouraged O'Malley to found a new political party and offered any help he could give. On December 21, 1985 O'Malley announced publicly for the first time the formation of the Progressive Democrats. Several Fianna Fáil TDs joined including Mary Harney and Bobby Molloy. Within a few weeks the Party numbers swelled and tens of thousands of pounds were collected in donations. Fine Gael (IPA in English and in Irish, approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in both the Republic of Ireland and Ireland as a whole. ... Michael McDowell (born May, 1951) is a senior Irish Progressive Democrats politician. ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Progressive Democrats (in Irish An Páirtí Daonlathach) is a free market liberal party in the Republic of Ireland founded in 1985. ... Mary Harney (born March 11, 1953) is an Irish Progressive Democrats politician. ... Bobby Molloy (b. ...

In the 1987 General Election the Progressive Democrats won 14 seats making it the third biggest party in the Dáil. Among the TDs elected were O'Malley and his cousin wife Pat, Anne Colley, daughter of George Colley, Jim Gibbons, son of the former Fianna Fáil Minister of the same name and Martin Cullen. Fianna Fáil returned to power with Haughey as head of a minority government. The Irish general election of 1987 was held on February 17, 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on January 20. ... Dáil Éireann[1] is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ... Martin Cullen (born November 1954) is a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician and is currently the Minister for Transport. ...

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. When the results came in Fianna Fáil actually lost seats. The PDs 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 PDs voting for Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes. After Haughey formally resigned he entered into negotiations with the PDs about forming a coalition. The vast majority of Haughey's Cabinet were vehemently opposed to any coalition deal but Haughey was desperate for power. On July 5, 1989 Haughey and O'Malley agreed a deal for government. In the new Cabinet O'Malley was appointed Minister for Industry & Commerce. 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Alan Dukes (born April 20, 1945) is a former Fine Gael leader and former TD for Kildare South. ... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1990 the Fianna Fáil nominee in the Presidential Election was Brian Lenihan, a hugely popular figure in politics. 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 Dail following the fall of Garret FitzGerald's government. 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 indicated that Lenihan would have to leave the Cabinet if the PDs were to stay on in government. Haughey then terminated Lenihan's membership of the government. 1990 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Brian Lenihan (November 17, 1930 - November 1, 1995) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... Dr. Patrick John Hillery (born May 2, 1923) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 until 1990. ... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dr. Garret FitzGerald (Irish: Gearóid MacGearailt) (born February 9, 1926) was the seventh Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; July 1981 to February 1982, and December 1982 to March 1987. ...

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 PDs could no longer remain in a government led by Haughey. Haughey eventually resigned on February 11, 1992 and was replaced by Albert Reynolds. O'Malley and the PDs 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. Fianna Fáil returned to power in coalition with Labour. The Progressive Democrats were now confined to the Opposition benches. 1992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Seán Doherty (August 29, 1944 - June 7, 2005), was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Albert Reynolds (born November 3, 1932) was the eighth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland from 1992 to 1994. ... The Irish general election of 1992 was held on Wednesday, November 25, 1992, almost three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on November 5. ...

Retirement

In October 1993 O'Malley retired as leader of the Progressive Democrats. He was succeeded by Mary Harney, one of the co-founders. In 1994 O'Malley ran for the European Parliament but was defeated by his fellow PD candidate Pat Cox. He remained on as a TD until his complete retirement from politics at the 2002 General Election. His daughter, Fiona O'Malley, was elected to the Dáil as a PD candidate continuing the O'Malley dynasty that has lasted since 1954. October is the tenth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Mary Harney (born March 11, 1953) is an Irish Progressive Democrats politician. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... Pat Cox (born 28 November 1952) is an Irish politician and former television current affairs presenter. ... 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. ... Fiona OMalley is an Irish politician. ... Dáil Éireann[1] is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ... 1954 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Vehemently opposed to Charles Haughey's leadership throughout his political career, Des O'Malley is regarded as a lost leader and the best Taoiseach that never was. Charles (Charlie) James Haughey (Irish name Cathal Ó hEochaidh) (born September 16, 1925), was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving three terms in office; 1979 to 1981, 1982 and 1987 to 1992. ...

Political Career

Michael Carty was an Irish 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 is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and barrister. ... Micheál Ó Moráin was a senior Irish politician. ... The Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform is the chief minister in charge of law and order in the Republic of Ireland. ... Patrick (Paddy) Cooney (born March 2, 1931) was a senior Irish politician. ... Justin Keating (b. ... The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is one of the most important economic ministeries in the Irish Cabinet. ... John Kelly (b. ... John Kelly (b. ... The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is one of the most important economic ministeries in the Irish Cabinet. ... Pádraig Flynn (born May 9, 1939) was a senior Irish politician. ... The Progressive Democrats (in Irish An Páirtí Daonlathach) is a free market liberal party in the Republic of Ireland founded in 1985. ... Mary Harney (born March 11, 1953) is an Irish Progressive Democrats politician. ... Ray Burke (born September 30, 1943) is a former Fianna Fáil politician. ... The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is one of the most important economic ministeries in the Irish Cabinet. ... Pádraig Flynn (born May 9, 1939) was a senior Irish politician. ...