Fine Gael << FIHN uh GAYL >> is one of the chief political parties of the Republic of Ireland. Its name means Tribe of the Gaels. Fine Gael supports private enterprise and individual rights, limited public spending, and balanced government budgets. However, it also supports government-sponsored health care and education. The party’s full name is Fine Gael, the United Ireland Party.
Fine Gael originated from the Cumann na nGaedheal party. From 1923 to 1932, Cumann na nGaedheal ruled the Irish Free State, a self-governing member of the British Empire. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 had created the Irish Free State from most of Ireland, while leaving Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom. In 1933, Cumann na nGaedheal merged with two smaller groups, the National Centre Party and the Army Comrades’ Association, to form Fine Gael.
From 1948 to 1951, Fine Gael ruled Ireland as head of a coalition government (two or more parties that join together to make up a majority). Fine Gael leader John A. Costello served as taoiseach (prime minister). In 1949, Costello’s government cut Ireland’s remaining ties with the United Kingdom and declared Ireland an independent republic. Costello and Fine Gael led another coalition government from 1954 to 1957.
From 1973 to 1977, Fine Gael led Ireland’s government in an alliance with the Irish Labour Party. Fine Gael again led coalition governments from 1981 to 1982 and from 1982 to 1987. Fine Gael leader Garret FitzGerald, who served as taoiseach in these governments, helped create the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985. The agreement gave Ireland an advisory role in the government of Northern Ireland. From 1994 to 1997, Fine Gael again ruled Ireland as head of a coalition.
Fine Gael returned to power in 2011, forming another coalition government with the Labour Party. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny became Ireland’s taoiseach. Kenny stepped down as Fine Gael leader in June 2017. He was succeeded by Leo Varadkar, who then became the new taoiseach. In 2020, Fine Gael entered into a coalition government with the Fianna Fáil party. Varadkar surrendered the taoiseach post to Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin as part of the governing agreement. Also under the agreement, Varadkar succeeded Martin as taoiseach in 2022. Varadkar resigned as the leader of Fine Gael in 2024. The party selected Simon Harris as Simon Harris as its new leader, and Harris succeeded Varadkar as taoiseach.
