O’Malley, Desmond (1939-…), was the founder and first leader of the Progressive Democrats, a political party in the Republic of Ireland. O’Malley had been a member of Fianna Fail, but was expelled in 1985 after speaking against the party line in a debate on family planning. He formed the Progressive Democrats early the following year. From 1989 to 1992, O’Malley served as minister for industry and commerce. He later became the parliamentary spokesman for the Progressive Democrats on foreign affairs and Northern Ireland.
Desmond Joseph O’Malley was born and educated at Limerick. In 1962, he became a lawyer. He entered Dail Eireann–the Irish House of Representatives–in 1968. He held several positions in Fianna Fail governments. He was minister for justice from 1970 to 1973; minister for industry from 1977 to 1981; and minister for trade, commerce, and tourism in 1982.
