1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election

The 1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in January 1992, when Charles Haughey resigned as party leader.^[1] Haughey had been party leader for thirteen years and had served as Taoiseach on three occasions. ^[2][3] His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 6 February 1992. After one ballot the election was won by Albert Reynolds.

1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election

← 1979 6 February 1992 (1992-02-06) 1994 →

Candidate Albert Reynolds Michael Woods Mary O'Rourke Percentage 79% 13% 8%

Leader before election Charles Haughey Elected Leader Albert Reynolds

Candidates

Standing

• Albert Reynolds, Former Minister for Finance ^[4]
• Michael Woods, Minister for Agriculture and Food ^[4]
• Mary O'Rourke, Minister for Health ^[4][5]

Declined to stand

• Bertie Ahern, Minister for Finance ^[6]
• Brian Lenihan Snr, former Tánaiste

Campaign

The beginning of the end of Charles Haughey's leadership occurred in November 1991 when the Minister for Finance, Albert Reynolds, launched a leadership challenge. On that occasion the challenge failed, however, it was not to be the end of the issue.^[7]

Following the leadership challenge the business of government continued and the Minister for Justice, Ray Burke, introduced the phone-tapping bill. This did not please the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Seán Doherty, who had been dismissed from the cabinet in 1982 over his alleged involvement in the phone-tapping of journalists telephones.^[8] He considered the bill to be an affront to his character. He had always denied that he acted alone with regard to the tappings and had taken the rap in 1982.^[9] However, he was deeply unhappy that he would have to deal with the bill in the Seanad. In a television interview in early January 1992 Doherty indicated that he had not acted alone and that the phone-tappings were known by other senior members of the government.^[10] Doherty's comments were criticised by fellow politicians as bringing up old divisions. On 21 January 1992 he called a press conference in which he stated that Charles Haughey had known fully about the phone-tappings when previously he had stated the opposite. Haughey called his own press conference denying the claims, however, his partners in government, the Progressive Democrats, indicated that they would have to withdraw from the government as there was no way they could continue with Haughey as Taoiseach.^[11] Haughey told them that this was not necessary as he had decided to stand down as leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach.^[11]

On 30 January Haughey announced his resignation to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party. Albert Reynolds, the sacked Minister for Finance, immediately threw his hat into the ring. Haughey had wanted Bertie Ahern to stand for the leadership, however, he declined. Reynolds had no serious competition, however, Michael Woods and Mary O'Rourke also stood for the leadership.^[4]

Result

At the meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 6 February 1992 the following votes were cast:^[12][5]

Election: 6 February 1992
Candidate	Votes	%
Albert Reynolds	61	79%
Michael Woods	10	13%
Mary O'Rourke	6	8%
Turnout	77	100%
Result: Reynolds elected leader

Aftermath

On 11 February, Reynolds was nominated as Taoiseach by the Dáil and formed the 22nd Government of Ireland.^[13][14]

References

1. Clarity, James F. (31 January 1992). "Haughey Resigns as Irish Prime Minister". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
2. Bowcott, Owen (20 December 2006). "Bungs, blank cheques and the Boss: final verdict delivered on Haughey's corruption". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 February 2024. He quit in 1992 after leading his party for 13 years.
3. "Haughey served as taoiseach on three occasions". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
4. Minihan, Mary (21 August 2014). "Albert Reynolds's political career". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 February 2024. 1992: Albert Reynolds becomes Ireland's eighth taoiseach. He succeeded Mr Haughey as party leader in February 1992, overcoming Mary O'Rourke and Michael Woods in a leadership contest.
5. McNamara, Maedhbh (2 March 2020). A Woman's place is in the Cabinet: Women Ministers in Irish Governments 1919 - 2019. Choice Publishing. ISBN 978-1913275068. She contested the Fianna Fáil leadership with Albert Reynolds and Michael Woods, and won six votes.
6. McConnell, Daniel (5 May 2007). "A potential Taoiseach with no home to go to". Independent.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2024. But Ahern withdrew amid jibes about his separation from his wife Miriam, and his living arrangements.
7. "Confidence In Charles Haughey". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
8. "Background: Justice minister Seán Doherty initiated tapping of reporters". The Irish Times. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
9. Chrisafis, Angelique (7 June 2005). "Seán Doherty". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 February 2024. A skilled constituency operator, known for his sharp mind and cynical sense of humour, Doherty was deeply hurt by the political isolation he suffered after the phone tapping affair. He claimed to have been promised a return to the cabinet, but this never came, and he felt he had unfairly carried the can.
10. "Crossing the line". The Irish Examiner. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024. The issue was left hanging. In 1992 Seán Doherty changed his story and said Mr Haughey was aware of the tapping from the outset.
11. "Taoiseach Charles Haughey To Resign". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 10 February 2024. Charles Haughey was forced to resign after Progressive Democrats leader Desmond O'Malley said the credibility of the Coalition was under threat.
12. "Albert Reynolds: Politician who helped bring peace to Northern Ireland". The Independent. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2024. Reynolds became Fianna Fail leader by 61 votes to 16.
13. "Albert Reynolds Elected Taoiseach". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
14. "Nomination of Members of Government. – Dáil Éireann (26th Dáil) – Tuesday, 11 Feb 1992 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. 11 February 1992. Retrieved 10 February 2024.