Unlikely partners the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil from a coalition government.
This is a clip from the RTÉ current affairs series 'Today Tonight' . A month after the 1989 general election, Fianna Fáil entered coalition for the first time since the 1930s. More remarkable was that their partners were to be the Progressive Democrats, the party whose founding members had left Fianna Fáil in 1985. As late as the second day of the count, Charles Haughey was opposed to any form of coalition.
When the 26th Dáil [government] gathered to finally elect a government, 'Today Tonight' sought the opinions of the deputies from all sides. Charlie McCreevy and Maire Geoghegan Quinn of Fianna Fáil, Michael D Higgins and Emmet Stagg of the Labour Party, Phil Hogan and Michael Lowry of Fine Gael and Jim Kemmy of the Democratic Socialist party give their views.
Pat Rabbitte of the Workers Party, Bobby Molloy, Mary Harney, Dessie O'Malley of the Progressive Democrats also discuss the coalition in front of Leinster House in Dublin.
Presenter Brian Farrell introduces the report by showing an archive clip of the Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey saying he would not enter coalition.
Title: |
PDs and FF Form Coalition |
Clip Duration: |
00:06:42 |
Material Type: |
Video |
Clip Title: |
Unlikely Partners PDs and FF Form Coalition |
Series Title: |
Today Tonight |
Information: |
Following a June general election, the results made it very difficult to form a new government. Fianna Fáil failed to win a hoped for overall majority and actually lost seats. The Progressive Democrats also lost seats. A month after the election, following protracted negotiations, the parties formed a coalition government. A report from 'Today Tonight' looking at how the PDs and Fianna Fáíl are to form a government broadcast 12 July 1989. 'Today Tonight' was a RTÉ current affairs programme with up-to-the-minute coverage of events at home and abroad. 'Today Tonight' was first broadcast on Monday, 6 October, 1980 and ran for 12 years until 1992. Edited by Joe Mulholland, the original presenters included Barry Cowan, Brian Farrell and Olivia O'Leary. 'Today Tonight' aired from Monday to Thursday on RTÉ 1. |
Local Keywords: |
Coalition, Progressive Democrats, Charles Haughey, Charlie McCreevy, Maire Geoghegan Quinn, Michael D Higgins, Phil Hogan, Emmet Stagg, Fine Gael, Bobby Molloy, Pat Rabbitte, Workers Party, Progressive Democrats, Dessie O'Malley, Michael Lowry, Jim Kemmy |
Coverage: |
Ireland |
Topic: |
Politics and Economics |
Contributor(s): |
Jerry O'Callaghan (Reporter), Brian Farrell (Presenter) |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
First Broadcast Channel: |
RTÉ One |
Broadcast Date: |
12/07/1989 |
Production Year: |
1989 |
Country of Production: |
IRELAND |
Original Identifier: |
98D00084 |
IPR Restrictions: |
Rights Reserved - Free Access |
Rights, Terms and Conditions: |
Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Libraries and Archives. If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us. RTÉ Libraries and Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us. |
Item Type: |
part/extract |
Colour: |
Colour |
Sound: |
Mono |
Aspect Ratio: |
4:3 |
Language: |
English (eng) |
Original Language: |
English (eng) |
