deaths
May 19, 2011
Garret FitzGerald, Irish lawyer and politician, 8th Taoiseach of Ireland (born 1926)
Garret FitzGerald
Garret Desmond FitzGerald was an Irish Fine Gael politician, economist, and barrister who served twice as Taoiseach, serving from 1981 to 1982 and 1982 to 1987. He served as Leader of Fine Gael from 1977 to 1987 and was twice Leader of the Opposition between 1977 and 1982; he was previously Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1973 to 1977. FitzGerald served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1969 to 1992 and was a Senator for the Industrial and Commercial Panel from 1965 to 1969.
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The office is appointed by the President of Ireland upon nomination by Dáil Éireann and the office-holder must retain the support of a majority in the Dáil to remain in office.