Reynolds, Albert (1932-2014), was taoiseach (prime minister) of the Republic of Ireland from 1992 to 1994. During this period, he was also president of the Fianna Fail political party. As prime minister, Reynolds played a leading role in the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Reynolds was born in Rooskey, County Roscommon, on Nov. 3, 1932, and educated at Summerhill College, in County Sligo. He spent the early part of his career in business. From 1974 to 1979, he served on the Longford County Council. Reynolds was first elected to Dail Eireann (the lower house of the Irish Parliament) in 1977. He became minister of posts and telegraphs and transport in 1979, then minister for industry and energy from March to December 1982. From 1983 to 1992, he was vice president of Fianna Fail. When Fianna Fail returned to power in 1987, Charles Haughey, the taoiseach, appointed Reynolds minister for industry and commerce, promoting him in 1988 to minister for finance. Reynolds died on Aug. 21, 2014.
