Albert Reynolds’s political career

1977: Albert Reynolds was first elected to the Dáil for Fianna Fáil in the Longford-Westmeath constituency. This followed an early career as a successful businessman.

1979: He was appointed Minister for Post and Telegraphs.

1980: Promoted to the position of Minister for Transport.

1981: Fianna Fáil is out of power and Fine Gael and Labour take over.

1982: Mr Reynolds becomes Minister for Industry and Energy.

1987: He takes up the post of Minister for Industry and Commerce, but Fianna Fáil is soon out of office again.

1988: He becomes Minister for Finance under taoiseach Charles Haughey.

1991: Sacked by taoiseach Charles Haughey for supporting a failed motion of no confidence in his party leader.

1992: Albert Reynolds becomes Ireland’s eighth taoiseach. He succeeded Mr Haughey as party leader in February 1992, overcoming Mary O’Rourke and Michael Woods in a leadership contest.

The Fianna Fáil/PD Government struggles after the emergence of the divisive X Case.

The Coalition collapses following a row with PD leader Des O’Malley over the Beef Tribunal. Fianna Fáil enters coalition with Labour.

1993: He signs the Downing Street Declaration with then British prime minister John Major.

1994: The IRA goes on ceasefire for the first time. However, the Government collapsed in November.

Decisions such as the reappointment of Harry Whelehan as attorney general and the handling of the case of Fr Brendan Smyth had prompted tensions with the Labour Party.

2002: He retires from active politics.

He was succeeded by Bertie Ahern as Fianna Fáil leader.