David Andrews
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David Andrews (born 15 March 1936) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician and barrister.
Andrews was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1965 as a Fianna Fáil deputy. From 1970 to 1973 he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Chief Whip. Following four years in opposition Jack Lynch and Fianna Fáil were back in power in 1977, and Andrews was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. In the 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership contest Andrews supported[citation needed] George Colley, the favoured candidate of the existing leadership. However, Charles Haughey, in a very close vote, was elected leader and Taoiseach.
Andrews paid for backing Colley in the leadership bid, being confined to the backbenches during Haughey's thirteen-year period as leader. During this period he maintained his legal practice and campaigned for the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six, and Brian Keenan (writer/hostage). He remained a vocal critic[citation needed] of Haughey during this period. After the Progressive Democrats were founded in 1985 Andrews considered[citation needed] joining the new party. In 1992 Albert Reynolds replaced Haughey as Taoiseach and Andrews was briefly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, vacating this position to Dick Spring, Tánaiste and Labour Party leader, after a subsequent election. Andrews was then appointed |Minister for Defence and the Marine. In 1997 subsequent to a general election, Fianna Fáil were back in coalition with the Progressive Democrats, with Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach. Andrews was first appointed Minister for Defence, subsequently, after the resignation of Ray Burke becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs.
His period as Foreign Minister was successful[citation needed] regarding the Northern Ireland peace talks. In April 1998 the Belfast Agreement was adopted by the people of the Republic and Northern Ireland. In 1999, Ireland joined the Partnership for Peace project. Andrews retired as Minister for Foreign Affairs in January 2000. He retired from Dáil Éireann at the 2002 general election, his son Barry was elected for the Dún Laoghaire constituency. On retirement from politics, he was appointed[citation needed] Chairman of the insurance company, MGM International. In May 2000, he was appointed to the non executive position as Chairman of the Irish Red Cross Society.
[edit] See also
[edit] Political career
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Desmond O'Malley |
Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) 1970–1973 |
Succeeded by John Kelly |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1970–1973 |
||
| Preceded by Newly Created Office |
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs 1977–1978 |
Succeeded by Office of Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs |
| Preceded by Office of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs |
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs 1978–1979 |
Succeeded by Office Abolished |
| Preceded by Gerard Collins |
Minister for Foreign Affairs 1992–1993 |
Succeeded by Dick Spring |
| Preceded by John Wilson |
Minister for Defence 1993–1994 |
Succeeded by Hugh Coveney |
| Preceded by Michael Woods |
Minister for the Marine 1993–1994 |
|
| Preceded by Seán Barrett |
Minister for Defence 1997 |
Succeeded by Michael Smith |
| Preceded by Ray Burke |
Minister for Foreign Affairs 1997–2000 |
Succeeded by Brian Cowen |
This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database
