Page "Charles Haughey" Paragraph 34

While Haughey had identified the problem with the economy he did the exact opposite of what he said he would do.

He increased public spending, which soon became out of control, and led to increases in borrowing and taxation at an unacceptable level.

By 1981 Haughey was still reasonably popular and decided to call a general election.

However, the timing of the election was thwarted twice by external events, in particular the hunger strikes of IRA volunteers for political status.

The Anti H-Block Committee announced that they would field abstentionist candidates which many predicted correctly would take Republican votes away from Fianna Fáil.

The Stardust Disaster, a fire destroyed a night club in Haughey's constituency and claimed the lives of 48 young people caused Haughey to delay the Ard Fheis and the election.

The poll was eventually held in June, much later than Haughey wanted.

In the hope of winning an overall Dáil majority Haughey's campaign took a populist line with regard to taxation, spending and Northern Ireland.

The campaign was enhanced and hyped up by a live debate on RTÉ between Haughey and the Fine Gael leader, Garret FitzGerald, over the major issues.

On the day of the vote Fianna Fáil won 45. 5 %.

Failing to secure a majority in the 166-seat Dáil a Fine Gael – Labour Party coalition came to power under FitzGerald and Haughey went into opposition.