George Colley (18 October 1925 - 17 September 1983), was a senior Irish politician. He was first elected as a Fianna Fáil TD in 1961 and at each election until his death in 1983. During his career Colley served as Minister for Education (1965-1966), Minister for Industry & Commerce (1966-1970), Minister for Finance (1970-1973 & 1977-1979), Minister for Transport (1979-1980) and Minister for Energy (1980-1981). He was appointed Tánaiste in 1977 and was twice defeated for the leadership of Fianna Fáil in 1966 and 1979. October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in Leap years). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... A Teachta Dála (Irish for Dáil Deputy, pronounced chock-ta dawla) is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Irish Oireachtas or National Parliament. ... The Tánaiste (plural: Tánaistithe), or more formally An Tánaiste, is the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland1. ... The 1966 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in October 1966, when Seán F. Lemass resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. ... The 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in December 1979, when Jack Lynch resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. ...

Early life

George Colley was born in Dublin on October 18, 1925. He was the son of Harry Colley, a Fianna Fáil TD, a veteran of the Easter Rising and a former adjutant if the Irish Republican Army. He was educated at St. Joseph's Christian Brothers School in Fairview, in Dublin, where one of his classmates was his arch rival, Charles J. Haughey. Colley studied law at University College Dublin and qualified as a solicitor in the mid 1940s. He remained friends with Haughey after leaving school and ironically, encouraged him to become a member of Fianna Fáil in 1951. Haughey was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1957 General Election, ousting Colley's father, Henry, in the process. This put some strain on the relationship between the two young men. Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland (and the island of Ireland), located near the midpoint of Irelands east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in Leap years). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... A Teachta Dála (Irish for Dáil Deputy, pronounced chock-ta dawla) is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Irish Oireachtas or National Parliament. ... Easter Proclamation, read by Pádraig Pearse outside the GPO at the start of the Easter Rising, 1916. ... The West Cork Flying Column during the War of Independence. ... Charles James Haughey (born September 16, 1925) was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland. ... University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin - more commonly University College Dublin (UCD) - is Irelands largest university, with over 20,000 students. ... // Events and trends World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atomic bomb. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... The Dáil Chamber Dáil Éireann is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ... The Irish general election of 1957 was held on March 5, 1957, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on February 4. ...

Colley himself was elected to the Dáil at the 1961 general election, reclaiming his fathers old seat. Not only was he elected but he was elected in Dublin North East, the same constituency as Haughey so the rivalry was intensified. Once he was elected Colley progressed rapidly through the ranks of Fianna Fáil. He became a member of the Dáil at a time when a change from the older to the younger generation was taking place. This was facilitated in no small part by the Taoiseach, Seán F. Lemass. The Irish general election of 1961 was held on October 4, 1961, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on September 8. ... Dublin North East is a parliamentary constituency in the Republic of Ireland. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... 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 cabinet. ... Seán Francis Lemass (July 15, 1899 - May 11, 1971) was Taoiseach of Ireland and served as the second leader of Fianna Fáil from 1959 until 1966. ...

Colley was rewarded by being appointed a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands in 1964. Following the re-election of the government in 1965 he joined the government as Minister for Education. Colley was promoted to the position of Minister for Industry & Commerce in 1966. In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to appoint parliamentary secretaries (in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, parliamentary assistants) from their caucus to assist cabinet ministers with their work. ...

1966 leadership election and aftermath

Jack Lynch, defeated Colley for the leadership in 1966.

In November 1966 Seán F. Lemass resigned as Taoiseach. Colley immediately threw his hat into the ring and identified himself as a candidate in the subsequent leadership election. His childhood, and now his political rival, Charles Haughey, also annopunced his intention to stand. Image File history File links Lynch. ... Image File history File links Lynch. ... John (Jack) Mary Lynch (15 August 1917—20 October 1999), was the fourth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. ... Seán Francis Lemass (July 15, 1899 - May 11, 1971) was Taoiseach of Ireland and served as the second leader of Fianna Fáil from 1959 until 1966. ... 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 cabinet. ... The 1966 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in October 1966, when Seán F. Lemass resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. ... Charles Haughey (Irish name Cathal Ó hEochaidh; born on September 16, 1925), was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving three terms in office; 1979 to 1981, March 1982 to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. ...

Colley's rise through politics was remarkable, particularly since after only five years in the Dáil, he was in a position to challenge for the leadership of Fianna Fáil. He was the favoured candidate of party elders such as Seán MacEntee and Frank Aiken, the latter managed Colley's campaign and was annoyed with Lemass's quick decision to retire before Colley had built up his support. He was considered to be in the same mould as the party founders, concerned with such issues as the peaceful re-unification of the country and the Irish language cause. A third candidate, Neil Blaney, also indicated his wishes to run for the leadership if a suitable candidate couldn't be found. However, both Haughey and Blaney withdrew when the Minister for Finance, Jack Lynch, announced his candidacy. Colley however didn't back down and the leadership issue went to a vote for the first time in the history of the Fianna Fáil party.. Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... Seán MacEntee (1889 – 1984) was a senior Irish politician. ... Frank Aiken (February 13, 1898 - May 18, 1983) was a senior Irish politician. ... Irish (Gaeilge), a Goidelic language spoken in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, is constitutionally recognized as the first official language of the Republic of Ireland. ... Neil Blaney (October 1, 1922 - November 8, 1995), was a senior Irish politician. ... John (Jack) Mary Lynch (15 August 1917—20 October 1999), was the fourth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. ...

On 9 November 1966, the election of the new leader took place. Lynch easily beat Colley by 59 votes to 19. When the new Taoiseach announced his new cabinet no hard feelings were shown between the two men. Colley retained the Industry & Commerce portfolio in the subsequent reshuufle of the cabinet. November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... 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 cabinet. ...

In 1969 he took charge of the Gaeltacht portfolio also, an area where Colley had a personal interest. In the wake of the Arms Crisis in 1970 a major reshuffle of the cabinet took place. Four ministers, Charles Haughey, Neil Blaney, Kevin Boland and Micheál Ó Moráin, were either sacked, resigned or simply retired from the government due to the scandal that was about to place. Colley was rewarded for his loyalty to Lynch over the previous four years by being appointed Minister for Finance, the second most important poistion in the government. The most important event of his tenure as Minister was the transition to decimalisation of the Irish currency in 1971. Gaeltacht, plural Gaeltachtaí, is an Irish word for an Irish-speaking region. ... The Arms Crisis was a political scandal in the Republic of Ireland, in which two government ministers from the Fianna Fáil political party were accused of attempting to illegally import £100,000 worth of weapons for the Provisional Irish Republican Army. ... Charles Haughey (Irish name Cathal Ó hEochaidh; born on September 16, 1925), was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving three terms in office; 1979 to 1981, March 1982 to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. ... Neil Blaney (October 1, 1922 - November 8, 1995), was a senior Irish politician. ... Kevin Boland (1917 - 2001), was a senior Irish politician. ... Micheál Ó Moráin was a senior Irish politician. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ...

Fianna Fáil were out of power between 1973 and 1977 when it returned to power with a massive parliamentary majority in Dáil Éireann. Colley returned to the position of Minister for Finance in a government that would come to be dominated by economic matters and internal divisions with the party. Colley was seen as the "heir-apparent" with the party leadership to succeed as Taoiseach and leader of the party, particularly since he was also named as Tánaiste. However, the return of Charles Haughey to the cabinet as Minister for Health & Social Welfare threatened Colley's ambitions. Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... The Dáil Chamber Dáil Éireann is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ... 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 cabinet. ... The Tánaiste (plural: Tánaistithe), or more formally An Tánaiste, is the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland1. ... Charles Haughey (Irish name Cathal Ó hEochaidh; born on September 16, 1925), was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving three terms in office; 1979 to 1981, March 1982 to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. ...

In December 1979 Jack Lynch unexpectedly resigned as Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader. It is said that Colley encouraged Lynch to retire one month earlier than planned because he felt that he had the necessary numbers to win a leadership contest and that the quick decision would catch Charles Haughey and his supporters off guard. The battle that the party was denied 13 years earlier was now a reality. 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 cabinet. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... Charles Haughey (Irish name Cathal Ó hEochaidh; born on September 16, 1925), was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving three terms in office; 1979 to 1981, March 1982 to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. ...

1979 leadership election

Charles J. Haughey, Colley's lifelong rival.

The support for both candidates was about even throughout the leadership contest. Colley had the backing of the majority of the Cabinet and the Party hierarchy, while Haughey relied on backbench support. On Friday 7 December 1979, the secret ballot vote was taken. On the night before, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael O'Kennedy, came out and announced his support for Haughey. This was believed to have swung the vote in favour of Colley's rival. When the vote wa staken Haughey beat Colley by 44 votes to 38. Image File history File links This work is copyrighted. ... Image File history File links This work is copyrighted. ... Charles James Haughey (born September 16, 1925) was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland. ... The 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in December 1979, when Jack Lynch resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. ... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... Michael OKennedy, (born February, 1936) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ...

For the second time Colley was defeated for the leadership of Fianna Fáil. Colley remained as Tánaiste, but demanded and got a veto on Haughey's ministerial appointments to the Departments of Justice and Defence. Colley was sacked as Minister for Finance and refused to become the Minister for Foreign Affairs, preferring instead a domestic portfolio, becoming Minister at the new Department of Energy. During his tenure he suspended the Nuclear Energy Boards plans for Carnsore Point on hold. Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... The Tánaiste (plural: Tánaistithe), or more formally An Tánaiste, is the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland1. ... The Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism is the head of the Department of the same name in the Irish Government. ... The Nuclear Energy Board (NEB) which was officially titled as An Bord Fuinnimh Núicléigh, an Irish title, was established in 1971 by the Nuclear Energy (An Bord Fuinnimh Núicléigh) Act, 1971. ... 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. ...

Later career

Following the February 1982 General Election Colley demanded the veto again on the Defence and Justice appointments of Haughey, however this time he was refused. When it was revealed he was not to be appointed Tánaiste in favour of Ray MacSharry he refused to serve in the Cabinet. His cabinet career effectively came to an end. During the early 1980s there were several attempts to remove Haughey as leader. Colley relenquished his leadership ambitions and supported Desmond O'Malley in many of the unsuccessful leadership heaves against Haughey. The Irish general election of February 1982 was held on February 18, 1982, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on January 27. ... The Tánaiste (plural: Tánaistithe), or more formally An Tánaiste, is the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland1. ... Ray MacSharry (born April 29, 1938) is a former Irish politician. ... The 1980s decade refers to the years from 1980 to 1989, inclusive. ... Desmond Joseph (Dessie) OMalley (born February 2, 1939), was a senior Fianna Fáil politician, the founder of the Progressive Democrats and the partys first leader (1985-1993). ...

While receiveing treatment for a heart condition at Guys Hospital in London, George Colley died suddenly on 17 September 1983, aged 57. September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

He was survived by his wife, three sons and four daughters, one of whom, Anne Colley became a TD, as a member of the Progressive Democrats. Anne Colley (born July, 1951) is a former Irish politician. ... A Teachta Dála (Irish for Dáil Deputy, pronounced chock-ta dawla) is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Irish Oireachtas or National Parliament. ... The Progressive Democrats (in Irish An Páirtí Daonlathach, literal back-translation: The Democratic Party) is a free market liberal party in the Republic of Ireland founded in 1985. ...

Political career

Brian Lenihan (November 17, 1930 - November 1, 1995) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... A Minister of State, in the Republic of Ireland, is a junior minister of non-cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the cabinet. ... The Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources is the chief minister at the Department of the same name in the Irish Government. ... Dr. Patrick John Hillery (born May 2, 1923) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 until 1990. ... 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. ... Donagh OMalley (1921-1968) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is one of the most important economic ministeries in the Irish Cabinet. ... Patrick Lalor (b. ... Pádraig Faulkner (born in March, 1918) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is responsible for one of Irelands newest Departments of State. ... Thomas G. (Tom) ODonnell (born August, 1926) is a former Irish Fine Gael politician. ... Charles James Haughey (born September 16, 1925) was the sixth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland. ... The Minister for Finance is the senior minister at the Department of Finance (An Roinn Airgeadais) in the Irish Government. ... Richie Ryan is also the name of a character on the tv series Highlander. ... Brendan Corish ( 1918- 1990), Irish Labour leader ( 1960- 1977). ... The Tánaiste (plural: Tánaistithe), or more formally An Tánaiste, is the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland1. ... Michael OLeary (born 1936), is a former leader of the Irish Labour Party ( 1981- 1982). ... Richie Ryan is also the name of a character on the tv series Highlander. ... The Minister for Finance is the senior minister at the Department of Finance (An Roinn Airgeadais) in the Irish Government. ... Michael OKennedy, (born February, 1936) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... The Minister for the Public Service was created by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1973, in March 1987 the ministers functions were transferred to the Minister for Tourism & Transport after the department was amalgamated. ... Pádraig Faulkner (born in March, 1918) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... The Minister for Transport is the chief person at the Department of Transport in the Irish Government. ... Albert Reynolds (born November 3, 1932), was the eighth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. ... Michael OKennedy, (born February, 1936) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... The Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism is the head of the Department of the same name in the Irish Government. ... Michael OLeary (born 1936), is a former leader of the Irish Labour Party ( 1981- 1982). ...

Deputy Prime Ministers of Ireland Tánaistithe na hÉireann
Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh | Seán F. Lemass | William Norton | Seán MacEntee | Frank Aiken | Erskine H. Childers | Brendan Corish | George Colley | Michael O'Leary | Ray MacSharry | Dick Spring | Peter Barry | Brian Lenihan | John P. Wilson | Bertie Ahern | Mary Harney The Tánaiste (plural: Tánaistithe), or more formally An Tánaiste, is the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland1. ... Image File history File links COA_IRELAND.PNG Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Sean Thomas OKelly (Irish name: Seán Tomás Ó Ceallaigh, (August 25, 1882 - November 23, 1966) was the second President of Ireland (1945-1959). ... Seán Francis Lemass (July 15, 1899 - May 11, 1971) was Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland and served as the second leader of Fianna Fáil from 1959 until 1966. ... William Norton (1900-1963), Irish politician, Labour Party leader (1932-1960). ... Seán MacEntee (1889 – 1984) was a senior Irish politician. ... Frank Aiken (February 13, 1898 - May 18, 1983) was a senior Irish politician. ... Erskine Hamilton Childers (11 November 1905 - 17 November 1974), the son of Robert Erskine Childers (author of The Riddle of the Sands), served as the fourth President of Ireland from 1973 until his death in 1974. ... Brendan Corish ( 1918- 1990), Irish Labour leader ( 1960- 1977). ... Michael OLeary (born 1936), is a former leader of the Irish Labour Party ( 1981- 1982). ... Ray MacSharry (born April 29, 1938) is a former Irish politician. ... Richard Spring (born August 29, 1950 in Tralee County Kerry), is a businessman and former senior Irish politician. ... Peter Barry (born August 10, 1928) is a retired Irish Fine Gael politician and businessman. ... 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. ... Patrick Bartholemew Ahern (Irish name: Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn) (born 12 September 1951), commonly called Bertie Ahern, is an Irish politician. ... Mary Harney (born 11 March 1953) is an Irish politician who has been the leader of the Progressive Democrats (the fourth largest political party in Ireland) since 1993. ...
Vice-Presidents of the Executive Council Kevin O'Higgins | Ernest Blythe | Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh The Vice-President of the Executive Council (Irish: Leas-Uachtarán na hArd-Chomhairle) was in effect the deputy prime minister of the Irish Free State, the Executive Council. ... Kevin Christopher OHiggins (Irish name Caoimhín Críostóir Ó hUiginn; June 7, 1892-July 10, 1927). ... Ernest Blythe (Ir: Earnán de Blaghd) (April 13, 1889–February 23, 1975), Irish politician. ... Sean Thomas OKelly (Irish name: Seán Tomás Ó Ceallaigh, (August 25, 1882 - November 23, 1966) was the second President of Ireland (1945-1959). ...