Fine Gael is Ireland’s second largest party in terms of representation in the Dáil and local assemblies, and first in the European Parliament. Historically derived from the pro-treaty elements of the Irish independence movement of the 1920s, it was founded in 1933.
Introducing Fine Gael
A pro-European Christian Democratic Party
It’s a Christian-Democratic party, pro-European, opposed to the military manifestations of republicanism, and economically located in the Center. At European level, he is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP).
Chronologically, these leaders were :
- General Eoin O’Duffy (1933-34)
- William T. Cosgrave, TD (1934-44)
- General Richard Mulcahy, TD (1944-59)
- James Dillon, TD (1959-65)
- Liam Cosgrave, TD (1965-77), Taoiseach from 1973 to 1977
- Prof. Dr. Garret FitzGerald, TD (1977-87), Taoiseach (1981-1982), and (1982-1987)
- Alan Dukes, TD (1987-90)
- John Bruton, TD (1990-2001), Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997
- Michael Noonan, TD (2001-2002)
- Enda Kenny, TD (since 2002)
Fine Gael’s last governmental presence dates back to the 1994-97 period, and the 2002 Dáill election was its biggest defeat ever (23 seats lost), but the most recent election (2004 European elections) remains a fond memory for the party, which on that occasion beat Fianna Fáil in a nationwide election for the first time in its history (5 seats to 4, out of a total of 13).
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