Jack Lynch

John (Jack) Mary Lynch ( Irish: Seán Ó Loingsigh; born August 15, 1917 in Cork, † October 20, 1999 in Dublin) was an Irish politician and twice Taoiseach (Prime Minister).

Professional and sports career

After graduation he was employed by the Milk Authority of Dublin and later the Court of County Cork. From 1941 he spent a night Studied law at University College Cork and the Kings 's Inn in Dublin. After graduating in 1945 he worked as a barrister.

In addition, Lynch was a famous Irish athletes of his time in football and hurling 1929-1951. He was captain of the team of Cork Glen Rovers, which from 1941 to 1944 and 1946, the annual All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship won.

Political career

Member of Parliament

Lynch began his political career in 1948 with the election of deputies of the lower house ( Dáil Éireann ). There he represented until 1981, the interests of the conservative- nationalist- dominated Fianna Fáil in the constituency Cork and became a close colleague of Eamon de Valera.

Ascent to the Minister

When de Valera again became Prime Minister on 13 June 1951, he called Lynch to parliamentary secretary of state. This office he held until the end of the term of office on June 2, 1954.

After re- election victory of Fianna Fáil under de Valera against the ruling Fine Gael Prime Minister John A. Costello Lynch was in the cabinet of de Valera on March 20, 1957, first minister for the Gaeltacht districts ( Gaeltacht ). Subsequently, he was Minister of Education from 1957 to 1959.

After the election of de Valera as President of Ireland he was under his successor as prime minister, Seán Lemass, on June 23, 1959 Minister of Industry and Trade and then from 1965 to 1966 Minister of Finance.

Taoiseach

Term of office 1966-1973, Northern Ireland conflict and accession to the EC

As Lemass in 1966 announced his resignation from the office of the Prime Minister, there was an intra-party conflict that ultimately led that Lynch was chosen as a compromise candidate on November 10, 1966 Chairman of the Fianna Fáil as well as Prime Minister.

During his tenure there came in August 1969 to the bloody three -day street fighting in Northern Ireland Londonderry between the British Protestant police and Catholic rebels. Lynch said at the time in a government response: " The Irish government can no longer remain quiet and watch as innocent people get hurt and possibly passing through worse. " However, the Northern Irish Catholic militants waited in vain for the salvation of the small Irish army. In 1970 there was a political crisis after the then Finance Minister Charles J. Haughey and Neil Blaney, Minister of Agriculture were accused forwarded government funds to the IRA and to have made possible the purchase of arms. On May 6, 1970 Haughey and Blaney were sacked by Lynch.

In 1972, a referendum on the accession to the European Communities on 1 January 1973. However, the Fianna Fáil was defeated at the election by Fine Gael and Lynch replaced on March 14, 1973 by Liam Cosgrave, Office of the Prime Minister.

Term of office 1977-1979, budget crisis and resignation

Four years later won the Fianna Fáil under its chairman Lynch a record election victory, so it was in 1977 Successor of Cosgrave as Prime Minister on July 5. In the second half of 1979, he was also President of the Council of the European Union.

However, lavish spending increases through the 1978 budget led to skyrocketing deficits and inflation. The attempt to compensate for this deficit through higher taxes led to alsbaldigen voter protests. On December 11, 1979 Lynch finally resigned from office of party leader and prime minister in favor of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Charles Haughey, back.

Speeches and Publications

Speech in Parliament on May 11, 1967
Jack Lynch: The situation in the six counties of North - East Ireland, 1969
Speech on the riots in Londonderry 1969
Speech in Parliament on March 21, 1972

Biographical sources and background information

Biography on the website of the University of Limerick
Biography in rulers.org
Constituency results of Jack Lynch 1948-1981
List of ministers of the Cabinet 1966-1969
List of ministers of the Cabinet 1969-1973
List of ministers of the Cabinet 1977-1979

Prime Minister (Ireland )
Minister of Finance (Ireland )
Teachta Dala
Chairman of the Fianna Fáil
Irishman
Born 1917
Died in 1999
Man

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