Leader of Fianna Fáil

Background

The post of Leader of Fianna Fáil was officially created in 1926 when Éamon de Valera founded the party. De Valera had previously been leader of Sinn Féin and took the Anti-Treaty side during the Civil War. The new party essentially became a home for dissatisfied Sinn Féin TDs who had become disillusioned with the party's abstentionist policy from Dáil Éireann.

Like other Irish political parties, most notably Fine Gael, the Leader of Fianna Fáil has the power to dismiss or appoint their Deputy and to dismiss or appoint parliamentary party members to front bench positions.

When Fianna Fáil is in opposition the leader usually acts as the Leader of the Opposition, and chairs the opposition front bench. Concordantly, when the party is in government, the leader would usually become Taoiseach, as well as appointing the cabinet.

Seven of the eight leaders of Fianna Fáil have each served as head of government for at least one term of office. In 1932 Éamon de Valera became the first Fianna Fáil leader to become head of government when he was elected President of the Exececutive Council. He remained as leader of Fianna Fáil until 1959 when he retired after serving twenty-one years as head of government and after leading the party to eight general election triumphs. Seán Lemass was the unanimous choice to succeed de Valera as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil that year. He served seven years in both roles before handing over to Jack Lynch in 1966 following the first leadership election in the history of the party. He served as party leader for thirteen years until 1979, nine of which were spent as Taoiseach. Lynch's resignation sparked another leadership election which saw Charles Haughey emerge as Taoiseach and leader of a deeply divided party. His thirteen-year period in charge saw many heaves against his leadership from within the party, with the final challenge hastening his resignation in 1992.

That year three candidates expressed an interest in seeking the leadership, however, Albert Reynolds was the overwhelming favourite in the subsequent leadership election and was elected Taoiseach and party leader. After just over two years in office Reynolds was forced to resign in 1994. His successor was Bertie Ahern who, after being the unanimous choice of the party for the position of leader, was forced into opposition. Ahern went on to become the most popular leader of Fianna Fáil in the modern era, guiding the party to three successive election triumphs and serving almost eleven consecutive years as Taoiseach. His resignation in 2008 saw Brian Cowen take on the dual roles of Taoiseach and party leader. His tenure was characterised by a downturn in the economy and he was effectively forced to resign as party leader in 2011 while remaining as Taoiseach. Four candidates put their names forward in the subsequent leadership election, with former Foreign Minister Micheál Martin becoming the eighth leader of the party.

Deputy leaders

The Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil is usually a senior politician within Fianna Fáil.

Like other political party leaders, the leader of Fianna Fáil has the power to appoint of dismiss their deputy. The position is not an elected one and is largely honorific.

The office of Tánaiste has been held by senior politicians in the main governing party. Previous Fianna Fáil Deputy leaders, including Brian Cowen and Mary Coughlan, held this post from 2007 to 2011. However, the Deputy leader is essentially a party official and there is no constitutional link between the two roles.

Fianna Fáil did not appoint a new deputy leader in the front bench reshuffle of July 2012.