David Andrews (Irish politician)

For other people named David Andrews, see David Andrews (disambiguation).

David Andrews
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 8 October 1997 – 27 January 2000
Preceded by	Ray Burke
Succeeded by	Brian Cowen
In office 11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993
Preceded by	Gerry Collins
Succeeded by	Dick Spring
Minister for Defence
In office 26 June 1997 – 8 October 1997
Preceded by	Seán Barrett
Succeeded by	Michael Smith
In office 12 January 1993 – 15 December 1994
Preceded by	John Wilson
Succeeded by	Hugh Coveney
Minister for the Marine
In office 12 January 1993 – 15 December 1994
Preceded by	Michael Smith
Succeeded by	Hugh Coveney
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs
In office 1977–1979
Preceded by	New office
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Government Chief Whip
In office 8 May 1970 – 14 March 1973
Preceded by	Desmond O'Malley
Succeeded by	John Kelly
Teachta Dála
In office 1965–2002
Constituency	Dún Laoghaire
Personal details
Born	15 March 1936 (1936-03-15) Dublin, Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Fianna Fáil

David Andrews (born 15 March 1936) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician and barrister.

Andrews was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1965 as a Fianna Fáil deputy for the Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown constituency. From 1970 to 1973 he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Chief Whip. Following four years in opposition Jack Lynch and Fianna Fáil were back in power in 1977, and Andrews was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. In the 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership contest Andrews supported^{[citation needed]} George Colley, the favoured candidate of the existing leadership. However, Charles Haughey, in a very close vote, was elected leader and Taoiseach.

Andrews paid for backing Colley in the leadership bid, being confined to the backbenches during Haughey's thirteen-year period as leader. During this period he maintained his legal practice and campaigned for the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six, and Brian Keenan. He remained a vocal critic^{[citation needed]} of Haughey during this period. After the Progressive Democrats were founded in 1985 Andrews considered^{[citation needed]} joining the new party. In 1992 Albert Reynolds replaced Haughey as Taoiseach and Andrews was briefly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, vacating this position to Dick Spring, Tánaiste and Labour Party leader, after a subsequent election. Andrews was then appointed Minister for Defence and the Marine. In 1997 subsequent to a general election, Fianna Fáil were back in coalition with the Progressive Democrats, with Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach. Andrews was first appointed Minister for Defence, subsequently, after the resignation of Ray Burke becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs.

His period as foreign minister was successful^{[citation needed]} regarding the Northern Ireland peace talks. In April 1998 the Belfast Agreement was adopted by the people of the Republic and Northern Ireland. In 1999, Ireland joined the Partnership for Peace project. Andrews retired as Minister for Foreign Affairs in January 2000. He retired from Dáil Éireann at the 2002 general election, his son Barry was elected for the Dún Laoghaire constituency, his other son David Andrews, Jnr is a comedian who works under the pseudonym of David McSavage. On retirement from politics, he was appointed^{[citation needed]} Chairman of the insurance company, MGM International.

In May 2000, he was appointed to the non-executive position as Chairman of the Irish Red Cross Society, serving in that position until 2009.

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas

References

Political offices
Preceded by Desmond O'Malley	Government Chief Whip 1970–1973	Succeeded by John Kelly
	Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1970–1973
New office	Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs 1977–1978	Succeeded by Himself as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs
Preceded by Himself as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs	Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs 1978–1979	Office abolished
Preceded by Gerry Collins	Minister for Foreign Affairs 1992–1993	Succeeded by Dick Spring
Preceded by John Wilson	Minister for Defence 1993–1994	Succeeded by Hugh Coveney
Preceded by Michael Woods	Minister for the Marine 1993–1994
Preceded by Seán Barrett	Minister for Defence 1997	Succeeded by Michael Smith
Preceded by Ray Burke	Minister for Foreign Affairs 1997–2000	Succeeded by Brian Cowen