History Foundation The party was founded in 1985 by Desmond O'Malley, a former senior minister in Fianna Fáil governments under Jack Lynch and Charles Haughey. O'Malley was a strong opponent of Haughey and was involved in a number of leadership heaves against Haughey, who was popular and controversial in equal measure. O'Malley had lost the Fianna Fáil whip in the Dáil in 1984 because of his support for the New Ireland Forum report and was finally expelled from Fianna Fáil early in 1985 for "conduct unbecoming" a member when he refused to support Fianna Fáil's opposition to the introduction of contraception.
hIstoRy fOuNDatiON the PArTY wAs foUNded in 1985 By desMond O'malLey, a former senior minisTer in FiaNNA fáIl GoVErnments undER jACk lYncH anD CharleS haugHey. o'maLleY WAS a stroNg oPponenT Of HaugHey and wAs INVOLVeD iN A NUmber oF LeAdeRshiP heavEs aGainSt hauGHEy, Who WaS poPUlAR anD coNtRoVeRsIal in equAL measUre. o'malLey had lOST the fiaNna fáiL WHIp iN the dáil in 1984 becaUse oF hIs sUppOrT for THE new IrEland fOrum Report And waS finalLy exPellED From fianna fáil earlY iN 1985 For "conDUct unbEComiNg" a membeR wHEn hE refusED to SupporT fIAnNa fÁIL'S opposItIon To the inTroducTion Of COnTraCeption.