The Tallaght Strategy - From Dukes to Bruton

Alan Dukes became Fine Gael leader in 1987 and was faced with a minority Fianna Fáil Government

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Alan Dukes

Ireland' s economic situation was continuing to deteriorate. As a Party that puts national interests before self-interest, Dukes addressed the Tallaght Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, 2 September 1987. He told invited guests:

"When the Government is moving in the right direction, I will not oppose the central thrust of its policy. If it is going in the right direction, I do not believe that it should be deviated from its course, or tripped up on macro-economic issues& Any other policy of Opposition would amount simply to a cynical exploitation of short term political opportunities for a political advantage which would inevitably prove to be equally short-lived. I will not play that game."

The "Tallaght Strategy" saw Fine Gael support unpopular but necessary economic decisions that were needed to bring down the national debt and inject new life into the economy.

Thus, the minority Government was supported in many of its economic decisions, and the seeds of the boom that was to occur in the 1990s were planted.

The 1989 General Election saw Fine Gael make modest improvements in its Dáil representation -the Party gained 4 seats - and the following year saw the Presidential Election which brought Ireland's first woman President, Mary Robinson, into office.

She was elected thanks to Fine Gael transfers, but there was no hiding the disappointment that the Party's own candidate, Austin Currie, came third in the election.

Party Leader Alan Dukes resigned and was succeeded by John Bruton.