Editing Albert Reynolds

{{Short description|Taoiseach from 1992 to 1994}}
{{for-multi|the American academic|Albert C. Reynolds|the Saint Lucian athlete|Albert Reynolds (athlete)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Albert Reynolds
| image               = Albert Reynolds (cropped).jpg
| alt                 = Reynolds, 61, in a photograph
| caption             = Reynolds in 1994
| office              = [[Taoiseach]]
| president           = [[Mary Robinson]]
| 1blankname          = [[Tánaiste]]
| 1namedata           = {{ubl|[[John Wilson (Irish politician)|John Wilson]]|[[Dick Spring]]|[[Bertie Ahern]]}}
| term_start          = 11 February 1992
| term_end            = 15 December 1994{{ref label|Acting|nb}}
| predecessor         = [[Charles Haughey]]
| successor           = [[John Bruton]]
| office1             = [[Leader of Fianna Fáil]]
| deputy1             = Bertie Ahern
| term_start1         = [[1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election|6 February 1992]]
| term_end1           = 19 November 1994
| predecessor1        = Charles Haughey
| successor1          = Bertie Ahern
{{Collapsed infobox section begin |cont = yes |Ministerial offices {{nobold|1979{{nbnd}}1991}}
| titlestyle    = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder
| embed         = yes
| office2       = [[Minister for Finance (Ireland)|Minister for Finance]]
| taoiseach2    = Charles Haughey
| term_start2   = 24 November 1988
| term_end2     = 7 November 1991
| predecessor2  = [[Ray MacSharry]]
| successor2    = Bertie Ahern
| office3       = [[Minister for Industry and Commerce (Ireland)|Minister for Industry and Commerce]]
| taoiseach3    = Charles Haughey
| term_start3   = 10 March 1987
| term_end3     = 24 November 1988
| predecessor3  = [[Michael Noonan (Fine Gael politician)|Michael Noonan]]
| successor3    = [[Ray Burke (Irish politician)|Ray Burke]]
| office4       = [[Minister for Industry and Energy]]
| taoiseach4    = Charles Haughey
| term_start4   = 9 March 1982
| term_end4     = 14 December 1982
| predecessor4  = [[Michael O'Leary (politician)|Michael O'Leary]]
| successor4    = John Bruton
| office5       = [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport]]
| taoiseach5    = Charles Haughey
| term_start5   = 25 January 1980
| term_end5     = 30 June 1981
| predecessor5  = [[George Colley]]
| successor5    = [[Patrick Cooney]]
| office6       = [[Minister for Posts and Telegraphs]]
| taoiseach6    = Charles Haughey
| term_start6   = 12 December 1979
| term_end6     = 30 June 1981
| predecessor6  = [[Pádraig Faulkner]]
| successor6    = Patrick Cooney
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| office7             = [[Teachta Dála]]
| term_start7         = [[1992 Irish general election|November 1992]]
| term_end7           = [[2002 Irish general election|May 2002]]
| constituency7       = [[Longford–Roscommon]]
| term_start8         = [[1977 Irish general election|June 1977]]
| term_end8           = November 1992
| constituency8       = [[Longford–Westmeath]]
| birth_name          = Albert Martin Reynolds
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1932|11|03|df=yes}}
| birth_place         = [[Roosky]], [[County Roscommon]], Ireland
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|2014|08|21|1932|11|03|df=yes}}
| death_place         = [[Donnybrook, Dublin]], Ireland
| resting_place       = [[Shanganagh Cemetery]], [[Shankill, Dublin|Shankill]], Dublin
| party               = [[Fianna Fáil]]
| spouse              = {{Marriage|Kathleen Coen|1960}}
| children            = 7, including [[Leonie Reynolds|Leonie]]
| education           = [[Summerhill College]]
| footnotes           = n.b.&nbsp;{{note|Acting||[[Acting (law)|Acting]]: 17 November – 15 December 1994}}
}}

'''Albert Martin Reynolds''' (3 November 1932 – 21 August 2014) was an Irish [[Fianna Fáil]] politician who served as [[Taoiseach]] and [[Leader of Fianna Fáil]] from 1992 to 1994. He held various [[Government of Ireland|cabinet]] positions between 1979 and 1991, including [[Minister for Finance (Ireland)|Minister for Finance]] from 1988 to 1991. He served as a [[Teachta Dála]] (TD) for [[Longford–Roscommon]] from 1977 to 1992, and for [[Longford–Westmeath]] from 1992 to 2002. 

During his first term as Taoiseach, Reynolds led a Fianna Fáil–[[Progressive Democrats]] coalition. In his second term, he headed [[23rd government of Ireland|a coalition]] between Fianna Fáil and the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]].

== Early life and education ==
Albert Martin Reynolds was born on 3 November 1932 in [[Kilglas]], near [[Roosky]], on the [[County Roscommon]]–[[County Leitrim|Leitrim]] border.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ryan |first=Tim |title=Albert Reynolds: The Longford Leader: The Unauthorised Biography |date=1994 |publisher=Blackwater Press |location=Dublin |isbn=978-0-86121-549-2 |pages=3–4 |url=https://archive.org/details/albertreynoldslo0000ryan |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="peacemaking">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/world/europe/albert-reynolds-ex-prime-minister-of-ireland-dies-at-81.html|title=Albert Reynolds Dies at 81; Peacemaking Irish Premier|last=Dalby|first=Douglas|date=21 August 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=22 August 2014|archive-date=27 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227064159/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/world/europe/albert-reynolds-ex-prime-minister-of-ireland-dies-at-81.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> His father was a carpenter and [[coachbuilder]]. Reynolds's political opponents often referred to him as a '[[country bumpkin]]' due to his background.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27140625| title=Obituary: Albert Reynolds| work=BBC News| date=21 August 2014| access-date=21 June 2018| archive-date=11 October 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011234346/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27140625| url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1950s, he attended [[Summerhill College]], Sligo, and found work as a clerk with [[CIÉ]], the state transport service.<ref name=dib>{{cite web|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/reynolds-albert-a10167|title=Reynolds, Albert|work=[[Dictionary of Irish Biography]]|last=Mansergh|first=Martin|access-date=14 January 2023}}</ref> Reynolds later became involved in the [[showband]] scene, owning several [[dance hall]]s in his local area. He became wealthy during the 1960s when dance halls became extremely popular. He invested his money in numerous businesses, including a pet food company, a bacon factory, a fish exporting operation, and a [[hire purchase]] company.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Reynolds also had business interests in local newspapers and a cinema.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} He established business contacts at both national and International levels.

Despite the late-night nature of his business, Reynolds [[Teetotalism|abstained from alcohol]]. Reynolds married Kathleen Coen (1932–2021) in 1962, and they had seven children.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 May 2021 |title=Kathleen Reynolds obituary: 'Best adviser and toughest critic' of Albert Reynolds |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/kathleen-reynolds-obituary-best-adviser-and-toughest-critic-of-albert-reynolds-1.4563212 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513060633/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/kathleen-reynolds-obituary-best-adviser-and-toughest-critic-of-albert-reynolds-1.4563212 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |access-date=20 November 2021 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>

== Political life ==
Reynolds became interested in politics during the [[Arms Crisis]], a controversial episode in which two government ministers, [[Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (Ireland)|Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries]] [[Neil Blaney]] and [[Minister for Finance (Ireland)|Minister for Finance]] [[Charles Haughey]], were removed from the government over an attempt to send arms to [[Northern Ireland]] in 1970. Blaney and Haughey were later acquitted in court.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Stephen |date=22 September 2020 |title=All you need to know about the 1970 Arms Crisis |url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0505/1136524-arms-crisis-debacle-1970-haughey-blaney-lynch/ |website=RTE |location= |publisher= |access-date=12 January 2025}}</ref>

In the wake of this case, Reynolds launched a political career from his background as a successful West Ireland businessman. He stood for [[Fianna Fáil]] at the [[1977 Irish general election|1977 general election]] for the [[Longford–Westmeath]] constituency.<ref name=elecs_irl>{{cite web |url=http://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=3189|title=Albert Reynolds |work=ElectionsIreland.org |access-date=1 June 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090610224341/http://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=3189 |archive-date= 10 June 2009 |url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=oireachtas_db>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Albert-Reynolds.D.1977-07-05/|title=Albert Reynolds|work=Oireachtas Members Database|date=24 October 2001|access-date=1 June 2009|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145404/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Albert-Reynolds.D.1977-07-05|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AlbertReynolds">{{cite web |title=Albert Reynolds passes away aged 81 |url=http://www.irishsun.com/index.php/sid/224972431 |website=Irish Sun |access-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121236/http://www.irishsun.com/index.php/sid/224972431 |archive-date=26 August 2014 |date=21 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The election proved to be a landslide victory for Fianna Fáil, with the party receiving a 20-seat parliamentary majority, resulting in [[Jack Lynch]] returning as [[Taoiseach]].

Reynolds remained a [[backbencher]] until 1979. That year, pressure mounted on Lynch, the incumbent Taoiseach and [[Fianna Fáil leader]], to step down. Reynolds became a member of the so-called "gang of five" politicians of a strong rural background, with [[Jackie Fahey]] (Tipperary), [[Mark Killilea Jnr]] (Galway), [[Tom McEllistrim (1926–2000)|Tom McEllistrim]] (Kerry), and [[Seán Doherty (Roscommon politician)|Seán Doherty]] (Roscommon), which aligned itself to Charles Haughey and supported him in the subsequent [[1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election|leadership contest]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

=== Fianna Fáil minister ===
Reynolds was rewarded for his staunch loyalty by joining the newly elected Taoiseach Charles Haughey's cabinet as [[Minister for Posts and Telegraphs]]. He was appointed [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport]], making his brief one of the largest and most wide-ranging in the government. As Minister for Transport, Reynolds was involved in an incident in which [[Aer Lingus Flight 164|an Aer Lingus plane]] was hijacked by a disturbed former monk, with the hijacker's chief demand for the safe return of the aircraft and its passengers being that he should be allowed to reveal a religious secret, the [[Third Secret of Fatima]], which he claimed to have in his briefcase.<ref>{{cite web |title='81 plane hijacker reveals Fatima obsession |url=http://irishecho.com/2011/02/81-plane-hijacker-reveals-fatima-obsession-2/ |website=Irish Echo |access-date=5 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105132504/http://irishecho.com/2011/02/81-plane-hijacker-reveals-fatima-obsession-2/ |archive-date=5 January 2015 |date=16 February 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The incident was resolved in Paris with no injuries.

Fianna Fáil lost power following the [[1981 Irish general election|1981 general election]] but regained it again following the [[February 1982 Irish general election|February 1982 general election]]. Reynolds returned to government as [[Minister for Industry and Energy]]. He was responsible for developing the [[Dublin]] to [[Cork (city)|Cork]] gas pipeline.<ref>{{cite web |title=Albert Reynolds |publisher=Fianna Fáil |url=http://www.fiannafail.ie/content/pages/albert-reynolds/ |access-date=26 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226212218/http://www.fiannafail.ie/content/pages/albert-reynolds/ |archive-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> That government fell in late 1982, and Reynolds was back on the opposition benches. During the 1982–83 period, the Fianna Fáil leader, Charles Haughey, faced three no-confidence motions. Reynolds gave him his support at all times, and Haughey stayed in power.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In 1987, Fianna Fáil returned to government and Reynolds was appointed [[Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment|Minister for Industry and Commerce]], one of the most senior positions in the cabinet, especially at a time when the government's top priority was economic recovery as the Irish currency was highly overvalued which was compounded by years of unsustainable borrowing and taxation being as high as 60%. In 1988, the Minister for Finance [[Ray MacSharry]] became Ireland's [[European Commissioner]], and Reynolds succeeded MacSharry.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

== Coalition (1989–1992) ==
{{further|21st government of Ireland}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2025}}
The [[1989 Irish general election|1989 general election]] resulted in Fianna Fáil taking the unprecedented move of entering into a coalition with the four-year-old free-market-centric [[Progressive Democrats]] (PD).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/107881/1/The_Consolidation_of_Coalition_Politics_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland_Paul_Mitchell_October_2020.pdf |title=The Consolidation of Coalition Politics in the Republic of Ireland |author=Paul Mitchell |date=October 2020 |publisher=London School of Economics and Political Science |accessdate=2025-01-27}}</ref> Reynolds headed the Fianna Fáil negotiation team with another minister, [[Bertie Ahern]]. A programme for government was finally agreed upon almost a month after the general election, and Reynolds returned as Minister for Finance in a coalition government that he described as a "temporary little arrangement".{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

The failure of Fianna Fáil candidate [[Brian Lenihan Snr|Brian Lenihan]] to be elected as [[President of Ireland]] added to the pressure on Haughey's leadership. In a speech in [[County Cork]], Reynolds announced that if a vacancy arose in the leadership, he would contest it—a clear and open revolt against Haughey's leadership. {{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Several TDs and senators, including some cabinet members, also began to grow disillusioned with Haughey, and they began to look for a successor. Reynolds was the most popular: his profile was enhanced by the so-called "Country & Western" group of TDs (named so because they came from mostly rural counties, as well as Reynolds's earlier fortune in the dance hall business) who began to agitate within the party on his behalf. {{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In November 1991, a relatively unknown rural TD, [[Seán Power]], put down a [[motion of no confidence]] in Haughey. Reynolds and a staunch supporter, [[Pádraig Flynn]], announced their support for the motion, and Haughey promptly had them sacked from the cabinet. When the vote was taken, the party reaffirmed its support for Haughey by 55 votes to 22. It looked as though Reynolds's political career was finished.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

Haughey's victory was short-lived, as a series of political errors would lead to his demise as Taoiseach. Controversy erupted over the attempted appointment of [[Jim McDaid]] as [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]], and McDaid resigned from the post before he was appointed.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Seán Doherty, the man who as [[Minister for Justice (Ireland)|Minister for Justice]] had taken the blame for the [[Irish phone tapping scandal|phone tapping scandal]] of the early 1980s, went on television on [[RTÉ Television|RTÉ]] to reveal that Haughey had known about and authorised the phone tapping.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Haughey denied all charges, but the PD government members stated that they could no longer continue in government with him as Taoiseach.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Haughey told [[Desmond O'Malley]], the PD leader, that he intended to resign shortly but wanted to choose his own time of departure. O'Malley agreed to this, and the government continued.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

== Taoiseach (1992–1994) ==
=== 22nd government of Ireland (1992–1993) ===
{{further|22nd government of Ireland}}
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2021}}
On 30 January 1992, Haughey retired as [[leader of Fianna Fáil]] at a parliamentary party meeting. Reynolds easily defeated his rivals [[Mary O'Rourke]] and [[Michael Woods (Irish politician)|Michael Woods]] in the [[1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election|party leadership election]] and succeeded Haughey as Taoiseach on 11 February 1992.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

The ministers who had been sacked along with Reynolds at the end of 1991 were all appointed to cabinet, while eight members of Haughey's cabinet, including such long-serving Haughey loyalists as [[Ray Burke (Irish politician)|Ray Burke]], Mary O'Rourke and [[Gerry Collins (politician)|Gerry Collins]], were left out.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Nine of the twelve [[Minister of State (Ireland)|junior ministers]], many of whom were also Haughey supporters, were also dismissed. Reynolds promoted several long-time critics of Haughey, like [[David Andrews (politician)|David Andrews]], [[Séamus Brennan]] and [[Charlie McCreevy]], to senior ministerial positions. Reynolds also promoted younger TDs from rural constituencies, such as [[Noel Dempsey]] and [[Brian Cowen]], to cabinet positions. One of Haughey's oldest political allies, Bertie Ahern, remained Minister for Finance, agreeing with Reynolds not to challenge him for the leadership.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==== X Case ====
{{main|X Case}}
On Reynolds's first day as Taoiseach, he had to deal with the "X Case", a constitutional case on whether a 14-year-old who had become [[Pregnancy from rape|pregnant as a result of rape]] could access [[Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|abortion]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The [[Attorney General of Ireland|Attorney General]], [[Harry Whelehan]], refused to allow the pregnant girl to travel to the United Kingdom for an abortion.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The [[High Court (Ireland)|High Court]] granted the Attorney General's injunction, while the [[Supreme Court of Ireland|Supreme Court]] found that abortion was permissible where there was a threat to a woman's life from suicide. The case strained relations between the coalition parties. Reynolds tried to find a middle ground but alienated both the [[Catholic Church in Ireland|Catholic Church]] and those who sought [[Abortion rights in Ireland|abortion rights]]. Three amendments to the constitution on abortion were put to referendum.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} {{Sentence fragment|date=November 2021}} The wording of the constitutional change caused tensions between the two government parties. Still, the government remained intact as the amendments passed through the [[Oireachtas]]. They were held on the same date as the [[1992 Irish general election|1992 general election]]. The [[Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 1992|first proposal]] was defeated, which would have excluded the risk of suicide from circumstances where abortion was permissible, while proposals to [[Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|allow travel outside the state]] and [[Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|access to information]] were approved.

==== European Union ====
Reynolds negotiated considerable benefits for Ireland from the [[European Union]] regional aid budget in the aftermath of the [[1992 Danish Maastricht Treaty referendum|Danish rejection]] of the [[Maastricht Treaty]].<ref>[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/denmark-emu-opt-out-clause.html?fromSummary=14#:~:text=The%20Maastricht%20Treaty%20was%20presented,with%2050.7%20%25%20of%20the%20votes. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/denmark-emu-opt-out-clause.html?fromSummary=14#:~:text=The%20Maastricht%20Treaty%20was%20presented,with%2050.7%20%25%20of%20the%20votes.]</ref>

==== Beef Tribunal and 1992 election ====
A tribunal of enquiry into irregularities in the beef industry referred to as the "[[Beef Tribunal]]", was established to examine the "unhealthy" relationship between Charles Haughey and beef baron [[Larry Goodman]]. This revealed to the public a substantial conflict of opinion between the two party leaders. At the tribunal, Desmond O'Malley severely criticised Reynolds, in his capacity as Minister for Industry and Commerce, for an [[export credit]] scheme. When Reynolds gave evidence, he referred to O'Malley as "dishonest".<ref name="count">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12977919.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921200451/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12977919.html|url-status = dead|archive-date=21 September 2014|title=Out for the count: Ireland. (general elections in Ireland)|date=5 December 1992|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|url-access=subscription |publisher=[[HighBeam Research]]|access-date=22 August 2014}}</ref> This enraged the Progressive Democrats' leader; his party called a motion of no confidence, which resulted in the Progressive Democrats withdrawing from government and the collapse of the government. Reynolds then sought a [[dissolution of the Dáil]] from the president, [[Mary Robinson]]. A general election was then called.

=== 23rd government of Ireland (1993–1994) ===
{{further|23rd government of Ireland}}
The 1992 general election campaign was a disaster for Fianna Fáil with many seats lost in the wake of the scandal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://www.polisci.upenn.edu/ppec/PPEC%20People/Brendan%20O'Leary/publications/Journal%20Articles/WestEPolitics__affairs_partner_swapping_spring_tides.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100613082216/http://www.polisci.upenn.edu/ppec/PPEC%20People/Brendan%20O'Leary/publications/Journal%20Articles/WestEPolitics__affairs_partner_swapping_spring_tides.pdf |archive-date=2010-06-13 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=www.polisci.upenn.edu}}</ref> The world was [[Early 1990s recession|in recession]], the Haughey era was a recent memory, and the [[Gulf War]] dominated international news, with [[Saddam Hussein]] in the news at the same time as the Beef Tribunal was discussing Reynolds's attempts to sell beef to the [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraqi regime]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beef report criticised government and not him - Reynolds |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/beef-report-criticised-government-and-not-him-reynolds-1.98525 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> The fact that Reynolds seemed prepared to issue state-funded export insurance, effectively subsidizing the Goodman business empire which now accounted for 12% of national GDP, when the country was in deep recession, shocked the electorate.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} Support for the party fell by 5%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://electionsireland.org/results/general/27dail.cfm|title=27th Dáil 1992 General Election|work=ElectionsIreland.org|access-date=22 July 2009|archive-date=26 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226212233/http://electionsireland.org/results/general/27dail.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/gdala.htm|title=Dáil elections since 1918|work=ARK Northern Ireland|access-date=22 July 2009|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127122828/https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/gdala.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] under [[Dick Spring]] ran a campaign independent of its traditional coalition partner [[Fine Gael]]. It was Fianna Fáil's worst election result since 1927,{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} losing nine seats. Fine Gael lost ten seats, while the Labour Party had its best result, with 33 seats. In January 1993, Fianna Fáil and Labour formed a government with Reynolds as Taoiseach and Spring as [[Tánaiste]].

==== Tensions with Labour ====
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
In 1993, Reynolds's Minister of Finance, Bertie Ahern, issued a [[tax amnesty]] for people who had outstanding tax bills unpaid and undeclared, provided they made some declaration of their previous income. This created considerable media disquiet and provoked Spring to make a policy statement. On 9 June 1994, Fianna Fáil lost two seats in the [[1994 Mayo West by-election|Mayo West by-election]] and the [[1994 Dublin South Central by-election|Dublin South-Central by-election]] to the opposition Fine Gael and [[Democratic Left (Ireland)|Democratic Left]], placing Reynolds under pressure, as he could no longer depend on Spring to remain in government.

The report on the Beef Tribunal was published in July 1994. The Labour Party had threatened to leave the government if Reynolds was criticized. Reynolds was alleged to have juxtaposed and misquoted sections of the report in issuing a rebuttal before the report became public. Spring was furious that the report was not considered by the cabinet first.

==== Northern Ireland and foreign affairs ====
[[File:President Clinton receives a crystal bowl of shamrocks from Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds on St. Patrick's Day.jpg|thumb|Reynolds (left) giving a bowl of [[shamrock]]s to US president [[Bill Clinton]] on [[Saint Patrick's Day]], 1994]]

One of Reynolds's main achievements during his term as Taoiseach was in the [[Northern Ireland peace process|peace process]] in the [[The Troubles|long-running conflict in Northern Ireland]]. Piecemeal negotiations had gone on during 1993 between Reynolds and British prime minister [[John Major]], resulting in the Anglo-Irish agreement of 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Statement by Albert Reynolds 15 December 1993 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/peace/docs/ar151293.htm |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref> On the 15th of December, the [[Downing Street Declaration]] was signed in London. Reynolds remained involved in discussions with Northern Ireland's nationalist parties and, along with [[John Hume]], persuaded the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) to call a complete ceasefire on 31 August 1994.<ref>https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/peace/docs/ar151293.htm</ref> Major was quoted at the time as saying:
{{cquote|Let me now say something that may surprise you. Throughout the process, I was acutely conscious that IRA leaders were taking a risk, too: if Albert and I upset our supporters we might – as Albert put it, be 'kicked out'. That was true, but the IRA's supporters were more deadly than our backbench colleagues. And their leaders were taking a risk too, possibly with their own lives.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite web|last=McDonald |first=Henry |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/albert-reynolds-former-irish-taoiseach-dies|title=Albert Reynolds, former Irish taoiseach, dies aged 81|date=21 August 2014|website=The Guardian|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913055940/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/albert-reynolds-former-irish-taoiseach-dies|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

In September 1994, Reynolds was left standing on the tarmac at [[Shannon Airport]] by Russian president [[Boris Yeltsin]], who failed to emerge from his plane to meet awaiting Irish dignitaries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0423/breaking65.htm |title=Yeltsin stood up Reynolds in 1994 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=4 April 2007 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922192255/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/yeltsin-stood-up-reynolds-in-1994-1.806036 |url-status=live }}</ref> Headlines around the world alleged that Yeltsin was too drunk to appear; a Russian official said that he was unwell, and aides later suggested that he had had a heart attack.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/yeltsin-aide-offers-solution-to-mystery-1.93743 |title=Yeltsin aide offers solution to mystery |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=4 August 1997 |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322063239/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/yeltsin-aide-offers-solution-to-mystery-1.93743 |url-status=live }}</ref> Yeltsin later announced that he had overslept.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/30/newsid_2542000/2542983.stm |title=1994: Sleepy Boris 'snubs' Irish leader |work=BBC News |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-date=22 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222072737/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/30/newsid_2542000/2542983.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Whelehan controversy and downfall ====
{{Main|1994 Irish government crisis}}
Reynolds had decided to reappoint Attorney General Harry Whelehan when the government was formed in 1992. When the position of [[President of the High Court]] became available, Reynolds proposed Whelehan. At this stage, allegations surfaced that Whelehan had been less than keen to prosecute a serial child abuser priest, [[Brendan Smyth]], due to the implications that such an action would concern the accountability of certain prominent members of the [[Catholic hierarchy]]. It was later revealed that Whelehan, in his capacity as Attorney General (AG), had mishandled an attempt<ref>{{cite news |last=Brennock |first=Mark |title=Breakdown in communications leads to outrage and disarray |via=OneinFour.org |url=http://www.oneinfour.org/news/news2006/communications/ |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=2 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105233506/http://www.oneinfour.org/news/news2006/communications/|url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2009}}</ref> to extradite Smyth to Northern Ireland, where he was facing criminal charges. This was covered on the British television station [[Channel 4]], which was seen across most of Ireland. RTÉ stood mute, while Irish newspapers were effectively talking around the issue for fear of action for [[libel]].

Spring led his ministers out of a cabinet meeting to consider the position of the Labour Party. The coalition appeared to be finished, but Reynolds still held out for the chance to patch things up. Reynolds went before the Dáil and said that if he had known "then" what he "knew now" about the incompetent handling of the case by the AG's office, he would not have appointed Whelehan to the judicial post.

However, Reynolds was damaged politically, appearing more interested in holding on to power than in the integrity of government actions. Spring decided he could not go back into government with Reynolds, and led the Labour Party out of the coalition on 16 November 1994.

==== Succession ====
It was apparent that Reynolds no longer had enough support to govern, so he resigned as Taoiseach on 17 November 1994.<ref name=Oireachtas28June2016a>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/housesoftheoireachtas/libraryresearch/lrsnotes/LRSNote_Caretaker_govs_FinalDraft28June2016_125621.pdf|title=Caretaker governments and caretaker conventions|publisher=Houses of the Oireachtas|author=Oireachtas Library and Research Service|date=28 June 2016|page=4|access-date=21 March 2017|quote=Box 1. Irish Caretaker Governments ... 1994 ...|archive-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321171638/https://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/housesoftheoireachtas/libraryresearch/lrsnotes/LRSNote_Caretaker_govs_FinalDraft28June2016_125621.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 19 November 1994, Reynolds resigned as party leader, and the Minister for Finance Bertie Ahern was [[1994 Fianna Fáil leadership election|unanimously elected]] the sixth leader of Fianna Fáil. Reynolds's favoured successor, [[Máire Geoghegan-Quinn]], withdrew from the leadership contest on the morning of the vote. It initially appeared that Labour would rejoin the coalition with Fianna Fáil under Ahern, allowing Ahern to ascend to the position of Taoiseach. Instead, when it emerged that Ahern knew more about another case mishandled by Whelehan than previously known, Spring led Labour into successful coalition negotiations with Fine Gael and Democratic Left, and Fianna Fáil found themselves in opposition against a [[Rainbow Coalition (Ireland)|Rainbow Coalition]]. Reynolds remained acting Taoiseach until [[John Bruton]] took office on 15 December and then returned to the opposition backbenches.

== Post-Taoiseach period ==
On 4 February 1995, Reynolds was interviewed at length by [[Andrew Neil]] for his one-on-one interview show ''[[Is This Your Life?]]'', made by [[Open Media]] for Channel 4.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Albert Reynolds|date=4 February 1995|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2295591/?ref_=ttep_ep2|series=Is This Your Life?|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922192336/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2295591/?ref_=ttep_ep2|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the beginning of 1997, Bertie Ahern allegedly encouraged Reynolds to run for office in the coming election and offered him the position of "peace envoy" to Northern Ireland and his support{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} as a candidate for the presidency. Fianna Fáil [[1997 Irish general election|won the election]]; however, Ahern allegedly reneged on this promise to Reynolds due to poor election results in his constituency{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} and the change in the political situation in Northern Ireland. Reynolds was still interested in being a candidate for the presidency, along with two other Fianna Fáil candidates, [[Michael O'Kennedy]] and [[Mary McAleese]]. In a cabinet meeting, the Taoiseach (Ahern) gave a [[Bertiespeak|typically ambiguous]] speech which seemed{{To whom?|date=November 2021}} to encourage his cabinet to support McAleese.

Reynolds won the first round of voting with a comfortable margin. Still, supporters of O'Kennedy backed McAleese, who was successful and became the Fianna Fáil nominee and the eighth president of Ireland.

Reynolds retired from politics at the [[2002 Irish general election|2002 general election]], after 25 years as a TD; he was quoted in 2007 to state: "I don't bear any grudges over Ahern".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/i-dont-bear-any-grudges-over-ahern-reynolds-59953.html|title=I don't bear any grudges over Ahern: Reynolds|newspaper=[[Irish Independent]]|date=18 January 2007|first=Fionnan|last=Sheahan|access-date=4 August 2016|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922192359/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/i-dont-bear-any-grudges-over-ahern-reynolds-26280772.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Reynolds was involved in a long-running libel action against British newspaper ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' over an article published in 1994, which alleged that Reynolds had deliberately and dishonestly misled the Dáil regarding matters in connection with the Brendan Smyth affair that brought down the coalition government. The newspaper claimed a defence of [[qualified privilege]] concerning these assertions based on their supposed benefit to the public, but a [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] jury found in favour of Reynolds in 1996. The jury recommended that no compensation be paid to the former Taoiseach. The judge subsequently awarded [[contemptuous damages]] of one [[penny]] in this action, leaving Reynolds with massive legal costs, estimated at £1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0621/libel.html |title=Reynolds libel case resumes in the House of Lords |publisher=RTÉ News |date=21 June 1999 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020030551/http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0621/libel.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A subsequent [[court of appeal]] decision in 1998 declared that Reynolds had not received a fair hearing in his High Court action. The case continued to be heard in the [[House of Lords]]. This case led to the recognition under British law (and later introduction into Irish law as the "defence of fair and reasonable publication"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2006/4306/b43b06S.pdf |title=Defamation Bill 2006 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604212240/http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2006/4306/b43b06S.pdf |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/12/10/story19467.asp |title=Defamation reform: are we there yet? |newspaper=The Post |date=10 December 2006 |access-date=28 December 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408001648/http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/12/10/story19467.asp |archive-date=8 April 2008 }}</ref>) of the so-called [[Reynolds defence]] of qualified privilege for publishers against whom libel actions regarding defamatory comments made in media publications are being taken.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/1028/reynolds.html |title=Sunday Times loses latest stage of Reynolds libel battle |publisher=RTÉ News |date=28 October 1999 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020030606/http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/1028/reynolds.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Reynolds defense |via=OPUK |url=http://uk.openingpolitics.org/index.php?title=Reynolds_defense |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205121138/http://uk.openingpolitics.org/index.php?title=Reynolds_defense |archive-date=5 February 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1999, General [[Pervez Musharraf]] became [[President of Pakistan]] following [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|a military coup]]. At the time, the [[White House]] did not recognise governments that came to power through a coup d'état. Business associates asked Reynolds to travel to Pakistan and meet Musharraf.

Musharraf asked Reynolds to act as an advisor to him and to contact US president [[Bill Clinton]] to reassure the White House as to the intentions of the new government of Pakistan. Reynolds claimed in later interviews that because of the trust built with Musharraf, he would be asked to arrange peace talks between [[India and Pakistan]]. These talks started in early 2001 but were interrupted by the [[9/11 attacks]], after which Musharraf could not contact the White House. He called Reynolds, who called former president Clinton, who quickly reached his successor [[George W. Bush]] to communicate the Pakistani position.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Paul |title=From North to Pakistan: Reynolds the peace broker |url=http://www.examiner.ie/story/?jp=EYIDAUQLAU&cat=World |work=Irish Examiner |date=16 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209115727/http://www.examiner.ie/story/?jp=EYIDAUQLAU&cat=World |archive-date=9 February 2008 }}</ref>

=== Mahon Tribunal ===
In 1993, Reynolds and Bertie Ahern, then Minister for Finance, wrote to developer Owen O'Callaghan seeking a substantial donation. O'Callaghan was then heavily lobbying for state support for a stadium project at [[Neilstown]], County Dublin. According to the report, O'Callaghan felt compelled to donate a sum of [[IR£]]{{nnbsp}}80,000 to Fianna Fáil to get funding for the stadium. The [[Mahon Tribunal]] did not find the payment corrupt. However, the report noted that pressing a businessman to donate money when he was seeking support for a commercial project was "entirely inappropriate, and was an abuse of political power and government authority".<ref>{{cite news|last=McEnroe |first=Juno |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/politics/reynolds-abused-power-by-seeking-donations-188205.html|title=Reynolds 'abused power by seeking donations'|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=25 March 2012|date=24 March 2012|archive-date=24 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524004153/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/politics/reynolds-abused-power-by-seeking-donations-188205.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2007, it was alleged at the Mahon Tribunal that Reynolds, while on government business in New York, collected a substantial sum of money for his Fianna Fáil party that did not get fully credited to the party. On the same trip, it emerged<ref>{{cite news |first=Ronald |last=Quinlan |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/reynolds-to-go-on-attack--at-tribunal-over-bahamas-visit-1234690.html |title=Reynolds to go on attack at tribunal over Bahamas visit |work=Irish Independent |date=2 December 2007 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-date=20 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520022419/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/reynolds-to-go-on-attack--at-tribunal-over-bahamas-visit-1234690.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in the tribunal that Reynolds had the government jet make an additional and unscheduled five-hour stopover in [[the Bahamas]].

Reynolds received annual pension payments of €149,740.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/thanks-big-fellas-ahern-and-cowen-get-massive-pensions-2931032.html|title=Thanks big fellas: Ahern and Cowen get massive pensions|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=10 November 2011|first=Fiach|last=Kelly|date=10 November 2011|archive-date=14 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914031001/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/thanks-big-fellas-ahern-and-cowen-get-massive-pensions-2931032.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2008, it was reported that Reynolds was medically unfit to give evidence at the Mahon Tribunal because of "significant cognitive impairment". Reynolds had on several previous occasions been due to give evidence concerning payments he allegedly received when he was Taoiseach.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0730/mahon.html |title=Reynolds declared unfit to give evidence |publisher=RTÉ News |date=30 July 2008 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014065408/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0730/mahon.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Illness and death ==
In December 2013, it was revealed by his son that Reynolds was in the last stages of [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref name=IEX>{{cite web|last=O'Mahony |first=John |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/tributes-pour-in-for-the-late-albert-reynolds-283034.html|title=Tributes pour in for the late Albert Reynolds|date=21 August 2014|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821170530/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/tributes-pour-in-for-the-late-albert-reynolds-283034.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reynolds died on 21 August 2014.<ref name=IEX /><ref name=RTE>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0821/638420-albert-reynolds/|title=Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds dies|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=21 August 2014|date=21 August 2014|archive-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821124440/http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0821/638420-albert-reynolds/|url-status=live}}</ref> The last politician to visit him was former British prime minister [[Sir John Major]], a close friend of Reynolds.<ref name="theguardian.com" /> The serving Taoiseach, [[Enda Kenny]] of Fine Gael, said at the time:  <blockquote>As Taoiseach he played an important part in bringing together differing strands of political opinion in Northern Ireland and as a consequence made an important contribution to the development of the peace process which eventually lead to the [[Good Friday Agreement]].<ref name="AlbertReynolds" /></blockquote>
The funeral was held at the Church of the Sacred Heart in [[Donnybrook, Dublin|Donnybrook]], on 25 August 2014. It was attended by President [[Michael D. Higgins]], Taoiseach Enda Kenny, former British prime minister John Major, former [[SDLP]] leader <!-- and Nobel prize winner --> John Hume, [[Sinn Féin]] president [[Gerry Adams]], Northern Ireland secretary [[Theresa Villiers]], former president Mary McAleese, former Taoisigh [[Liam Cosgrave]], John Bruton, Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen, Archbishop of Dublin [[Diarmuid Martin]] and the [[Lord Mayor of Dublin]], [[Christy Burke]]. Other guests included former ministers Charlie McCreevy, Padraig Flynn, [[Dermot Ahern]] and Noel Dempsey, fashion designer [[Louise Kennedy]] and racehorse owner [[J. P. McManus]]. Another visitor was [[Jean Kennedy Smith]], former [[US ambassador to Ireland]], who was the last surviving sibling of [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sheahan |first=Fionnán |title=Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds laid to rest after State Funeral |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/former-taoiseach-albert-reynolds-laid-to-rest-after-state-funeral-30533490.html |access-date=26 December 2014 |work=Irish Independent |date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226223656/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/former-taoiseach-albert-reynolds-laid-to-rest-after-state-funeral-30533490.html |archive-date=26 December 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Reynolds was buried at [[Shanganagh Cemetery]] with full military honours.<ref name="ReynoldsFuneral">{{cite news |title=Dublin comes to standstill for Albert Reynolds funeral |url=http://www.irelandnews.net/index.php/sid/225071973 |access-date=25 August 2014 |work=Ireland News |date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114701/http://www.irelandnews.net/index.php/sid/225071973 |archive-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lord |first=Miriam |title=An ordinary and extraordinary farewell to Albert Reynolds |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/an-ordinary-and-extraordinary-farewell-to-albert-reynolds-1.1907757 |access-date=26 August 2014 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826083250/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/an-ordinary-and-extraordinary-farewell-to-albert-reynolds-1.1907757 |archive-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Legacy ===
His successor as Fianna Fáil leader, Bertie Ahern, who as Taoiseach was one of the negotiators of peace in Northern Ireland and had long been a political ally and friend, said on Reynolds's death:{{cquote|I am deeply saddened to learn today of the death of Albert Reynolds. He was not afraid to take political risks to further the path of reconciliation. The Downing Street Declaration paved the way for the IRA ceasefire and all the positives which have flowed from the peace process for people North and South. So much of this achievement has its roots in Albert's courage, perseverance and his commitment to democratic politics.}}

The Archbishop of Dublin, who attended the service, commented on Reynolds's determined character: {{cquote|In his life, in his responsibility for the political and economic destiny of those he was called to serve, Albert Reynolds was responsive and creative and determined in his desire to move forward in the search for peace and for a more just, secure and prosperous society.}}

Former Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen expressed his sadness at the passing of their "close personal friend".

[[Michael O'Leary (businessman)|Michael O'Leary]], the chief executive officer of [[Ryanair]], said: 

{{cquote|As my local TD in what was then the Longford-West Meath constituency, I had some interaction with him ... I think history will be very kind to him and it should be. In a relatively short period as Taoiseach he achieved a terrific transformation, both in the peace process and also setting Ireland on a period of very rapid economic growth. ... He managed to blow up two coalitions in a relatively short period of time. But I think if you go back and you ask Irish people now if you could have visionary, dynamic and bold leadership like Albert Reynolds ... I think everybody would go back and have Albert in a flash.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Louise |display-authors=etal |title=Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds dies aged 81 |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/former-taoiseach-albert-reynolds-dies-aged-81-30525290.html |access-date=26 December 2014 |work=Irish Independent |date=2014-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226224632/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/former-taoiseach-albert-reynolds-dies-aged-81-30525290.html |archive-date=26 December 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
=== Writings ===
* Reynolds, Albert, ''My Autobiography'' (Dublin 2010)

=== Secondary sources ===
* Coakley, J & Rafter, K ''Irish Presidency: Power, Ceremony, and Politics'' (Dublin 2013)
* Kelly, S ''Fianna Fail, Partition and Northern Ireland, 1926–1971'' (Dublin 2013)
* O'Donnell, Catherine, ''Fianna Fail, Irish republicanism and the Northern Ireland Troubles 1968–2005'' (Kildare 2007)
* O'Reilly, Emily, ''Candidate: The Truth Behind the Presidential Campaign'' (Dublin 1991)
* Ryan, Tim, ''Albert Reynolds: The Longford Leader. The Unauthorised Biography'' (Dublin 1994)

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|1127240}} 
*{{C-SPAN|23526}} 

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Pádraig Faulkner]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Posts and Telegraphs]]
       |years  = 1979–1981 }}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Patrick Cooney]]|rows = 2}}
{{s-bef|before = [[George Colley]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport]]
       |years  = 1980–1981}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Michael O'Leary (politician)|Michael O'Leary]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Industry and Energy]]
       |years  = 1982}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[John Bruton]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Michael Noonan (Fine Gael politician)|Michael Noonan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Industry and Commerce (Ireland)|Minister for Industry and Commerce]]
       |years  = 1987–1988}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Ray Burke (Irish politician)|Ray Burke]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Ray MacSharry]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Finance (Ireland)|Minister for Finance]]
       |years  = 1988–1991}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Bertie Ahern]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Charles Haughey]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Taoiseach]]
       |years  = 1992–1994}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[John Bruton]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Bobby Molloy]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Energy (Ireland)|Minister for Energy]]
       |years  = 1992–1993<br />''(acting)''}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Brian Cowen]]}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Charles Haughey]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Leader of Fianna Fáil]]
       |years  = 1992–1994}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Bertie Ahern]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Navboxes|title=Albert Reynolds navigational boxes|list1=
{{Heads of government of Ireland}}
{{16th Government of Ireland}}
{{18th Government of Ireland}}
{{20th Government of Ireland}}
{{21st Government of Ireland}}
{{22nd Government of Ireland}}
{{23rd Government of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for finance of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for foreign affairs of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for transport of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for enterprise, trade and employment of Ireland}}
{{Longford–Westmeath (Dáil constituency)/TDs}}
{{Longford–Roscommon (Dáil constituency)/TDs}}
{{Fianna Fáil}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reynolds, Albert}}
[[Category:Albert Reynolds| ]]
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Fianna Fáil TDs]]
[[Category:Leaders of Fianna Fáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 21st Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 22nd Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 23rd Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 24th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 25th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 26th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 27th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 28th Dáil]]
[[Category:Ministers for finance of Ireland]]
[[Category:Ministers for transport of Ireland]]
[[Category:People educated at Summerhill College]]
[[Category:Politicians from County Roscommon]]
[[Category:Taoisigh]]
[[Category:Ministers for enterprise, trade and employment]]