Fianna Fail and Fine Gael

Fine Gael was really an umbrella group opposed to Eamon De Valera.

It contained the remnant of the Cumann na nGaedhal party (The original pro-treaty Sinn Féin group), the Farmer's Party (A mid to large sized farmer organisation, got rough 10-15 seats in the Dáil in the early years of the Free State) and of course most controversially, Eoin O'Duffys 'Blueshirts' (A semi-fascist group who ended up fighting for Franco in Spain, declared illegal by De Valera's government).

Fianna Fáil was the creation of De Valera's mind, contained the Republican element opposed to the Treaty settlement. In 1927 (I think) they entered the Dáil and recognised the oath of allegiance to the British King. Very reluctantly. They were from the start formed by the anti treaty side. Perhaps somewhat amazingly, considering how unpopular the Republicans were in the Civil War, they emerged as the dominant power in irish politics in the 30s and every decade after.

In the early years there were huge differences between the two; Cumman na nGaedhal (Fine Gael) were pro free trade, slightly more in favour of maintaining the Imperial link, and generally the party of the middle classes, prosperous farmers and Protestants. Fianna Fáil attracted a wide spectrum of support following 1927, slowly becoming the dominant political force in the country. Slightly left wing in certain ways, played a big part in the slum clearances and the hospital building policies of the 30s, 40s and 50s. Intensely protectionist though, many economists (rightly) blame De Valera for having an almost absurdist belief in our ability to create all the goods and services we needed within Ireland. Set our economy back a couple of decades really.

When Cosgrave handed over power to Fianna Fáil in 1932 it was a truly momentous moment for Irish democracy - consider, for a moment, that these were the same men who order the executions policy on IRA prisoners during the Civil War and who dispised each other with varying degree's of venom. I suppose it is a testament to the democratic impulses of Cosgrave and the rest of Cumann na nGaedhal that they agreed to hand power over to the same people who didn't recognise their authority as the state only a decade earlier.

Hope that went some way to answering your question!

Thanks for the response.

Originally posted by Parnell It was in the early years. Nowadays they are barely distinguishable in terms of policy. Both are avowedly centrist.

So let me get this straight Denis. You are now professing to be a 'Catholic' in the Irish genocide thread, using it as a lever to add emphasis to your argument, and now you are telling us what political party your family follow?! Dubious arrangement of knowledge based on experience I contend.

Did you ever hear the story of the boy and the fisherman? This will shed some light, I believe.

This looks like a topic of interest for Michael Collins

Sounds much then General like the age old struggle here in the US reference conservatives and liberals. To a degree... both have a certain redemming value when the hyperbole isn't flying.

Originally posted by Michael Collins . And that is why Fianna Fáil will bounce back from their overwhelming defeat in the latest election.

Originally posted by Michael Collins They'll get 35/40 seats in the next election, and after that they'll be back in government. Even now they have strong support, I know because I've canvassed...