Reynolds resigns with a 'sense of achievement'

By Dermot Kelly, Michael O'Regan, and Marie O'Halloran
Irish Times
November 18, 1994

The Taoiseach, Mr Reynolds, announced to a crowded Dail chamber that he and his Ministers would be tendering their resignations to the President, Mrs Robinson. But he said that he would not be asking the President to dissolve the Dail.

He added: "On the basis provided for in the Constitution we will continue to carry on our duties until a new administration is formed. I have taken this decision for the good of the country, in the interests of stability and in particular to ensure the continuation of the peace process. I am doing this in the full knowledge and the full support of my ministerial colleagues.

"I have this morning received the resignation of the Labour Ministers and I forwarded them to the President with the advice that she accept them.

"In the circumstances that have led to this decision, I simply wish to state that it was never, never my intention to mislead the Dail or withhold any material information from it. I sought a deeper investigation of the circumstances surrounding the handling of the Father Brendan Smyth ex-tradition case from the new Attorney General and have been prepared to draw the appropriate conclusions without flinching. The same goes for all my ministerial colleagues.

"The Minister for Justice Mrs Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, offered me her resignation yesterday afternoon, but I refused because I, like all my ministerial colleagues, fully subscribe to collective responsibility.

"It has been my privilege to have led a very successful and pioneering partnership government over the last two years. We have had excellent results in the economy, showing an increase in employment, and we have produced many enlightened social reforms.

"I would also like to think that it has been a compassionate Government.

"There will be another time when I hope to take and avail of an opportunity to set the record straight on the many hurtful and untruthful things that have been said about me and my family, not alone in this debate but in recent times. I do not intend to do that now.

The most important achievement, I believe, of this Government has been the breakthrough to peace in Northern Ireland with two ceasfires. It is a source of immense relief to all of us that the terrible cycle of death has been brought to an end. I would like to thank all those brave people, North and South, who have helped both recently and over the years to bring this about.

"Now that I am no longer in a position to make a further contribution as Taoiseach, I would appeal to all those who are, and who will be, in a position to influence the course of events, to hold fast to, and to build on, what has been achieved for the sake of everybody living and for future generations on this island.

"When I became the new leader of Fianna Fail and Taoiseach, I set myself two political objectives the achievement of peace in Northern Ireland and on the whole island and to turn the economy around. I was fortunate in such a short space of time to achieve those two political objectives.

"Many political leaders set, themselves in life certain priorities and goals but for whatever reasons were not around long enough to achieve them. I was fortunate to work with a team and together we were able to achieve our objectives in a short period of time.

"It is with a quiet sense of achievement that I can stand up to say those words today. I pay tribute to all my colleagues, both in Fianna Fail and the Labour Party, for working with me in government on behalf of the country on a programme for government which we set as a challenge for a period of four and a half years.

"I take this opportunity to thank my wife, Kathleen, children and grandchildren for their great support in carrying the heavy burdens of office. They are heavy burdens but the heaviest burden is always carried in the home, that is where the real strain and pressure is brought to bear. I thank them for their commitment and staying the course with me. There was a very happy family this morning to say farewell."