Liam Cosgrave Biography

Birth of Liam Cosgrave

Elected a Fine Gael deputy to Dail Eireann, the Irish Parliament

Elected a Fine Gael deputy to Dail Eireann, the Irish Parliament

Appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce

Appointed Foreign Minister

Leader of the delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations, to which Ireland had been admitted in 1955

Appointed Party Leader of the Fine Gael Party

The general election is won by a coalition of Fine Gael and the smaller Labour Party

Cosgrave forms a Fine Gael-Labour coalition and assumes the office of Taoiseach.

A communique announces an agreement is issued, which later becomes known as the Sunningdale Agreement

A communique announces an agreement is issued, which later becomes known as the Sunningdale Agreement

The British and Irish Governments and political leaders from Northern Ireland established a power-sharing or coalition executive for a devolved Northern Irish Government

Represents Ireland at a Community summit during the country's first year of membership.

Represents Ireland as leaders agree to establish regular meetings under the title European Council.

Begins Ireland's first Presidency of the Council only two years after joining the Community.

Leads Ireland during the establishment of the European Regional Development Fund, a major Irish Community priority.

Hosts the first formal meeting of the European Council at Dublin Castle.

Heads the Irish government when member states establish direct European Parliament elections.