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Writing Peace: The National Archives of the UK (TNA)

Biography of Albert Reynolds

Saturday, 01 February 1992

i24034

Summarises Albert Reynolds' business and political career up to February 1992, with his spell as Minister of Finance added in pen. Also includes some notes on his personality and personal life, including his skills and health conditions. Adds that he will most likely succeed Haughey as Taoiseach.

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CONFIDENTIAL

REYNOLDS, ALBERT TD

Born 1935 in Rooskey, Co Roscommon.

Educated at Summerhill College, Sligo.

After working for eight years as a clerk with CIE (the State Transport Authority) he went into business with his brothers and built up a dancehall empire during the showband boom in the early 1960s. In 1966 he sold up his business and moved to Dublin. There he bought and later sold a bacon factory and cabaret club. He then started a petfood company which now employs some 70 people. He bought the Longford News in 1975 selling it to the Meath Chronicle in 1978. Mr Reynolds represented Co Longford in the Fianna Fail National Executive from 1974-77. He has been a member of Longford County Council since 1974 and was President of the Longford Chamber of Commerce from 1972-75. In 1977 he was elected to the Dáil as a member for Longford Westmeath. Minister for Communications and Transport, 1979-81. Minister for Industry and Energy 1982. Opposition spokesman on Industry and Commerce 1982-87. Minister for Industry and Commerce 1987-88. [Minister of Finance 198-91.]

A close supporter of Mr Haughey [until 1991]; Mr Reynolds became Minister after the former's assumption of the leadership of the Fianna Fail Party. An able minister and manager. Tough and said to be unscrupulous. Courts publicity. Probably the leading contender as successor to Mr Haughey.

A diabetic, whose condition was stabilised only with difficulty; and has creeping paralysis of the feet.

Married (Kathleen Coen): two sons, five daughters.