Profile of David Andrews on Famous Like Me

David Andrews (born March 15, 1936) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician and barrister.

Born in March 1936 in Dublin, Andrews was educated at Colaiste Mhuire, Dublin and Mount St. Joseph's, Roscrea before attending University College Dublin. He studied to become a barrister at Kings Inns and was called to the Bar in 1962. Andrews hailed from a very politically minded family. His father, Dr. C.S. (Todd) Andrews fought in the War of Independence and became a founder-member of Fianna Fáil, while his mother, Mary Coyle, was a member of Cumann na mBan. Andrews was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1965 as a Fianna Fáil deputy. From 1970 to 1973 he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Chief Whip. Following four years in opposition Jack Lynch and Fianna Fáil were back in power in 1977, and Andrews was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. In the 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership contest Andrews supported George Colley, the favoured candidate of the existing leadership. However, Charles Haughey, in a very close vote, was elected leader and Taoiseach.

Andrews paid dearly for backing Colley in the leadership bid. He was confined to the backbenches during Haughey's thirteen-year period as leader. During this period he maintained his legal practice and campaigned for the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six, and Brian Keenan. He remained a vocal critic of Haughey during this period. After the Progressive Democrats were founded in 1985 Andrews was considered a likely convert to the new party. However his loyalty to Fianna Fáil proved too entrenched and he remained in the party. In 1992 Albert Reynolds replaced Haughey as party leader and Taoiseach. Andrews was initially appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, however, he had to vacate this position when Dick Spring, the then Tánaiste and Labour leader, insisted on the job. Andrews was instead appointed Minister for Defence and the Marine. In 1997 Fianna Fáil were back in power, with Bertie Ahern becoming Taoiseach. Andrews was first appointed Minister for Defence, however, after the resignation of Ray Burke he became Minister for Foreign Affairs.

His period as Foreign Minister was extremely successful regarding the Northern Ireland peace talks. In April 1998 the Good Friday Agreement was signed and adopted by the people of the Republic and the North. In 1999 Ireland joined the Partnership for Peace project. Andrews retired as Minister for Foreign Affairs in January 2000. Subsequently, in May of that year, he was appointed to the voluntary position of Chairman of the Irish Red Cross Society. He retired from Dáil Eireann at the 2002 general election. After his retirment from politics, he was appointed Chairman of the insurance company, MGM International.

Other members of the Andrews family were and still are involved in politics. His brother, Niall Andrews, was also a TD and Member of the European Parliament for Dublin until his retirement from politics in 2004, while his son, Barry, followed him into politics and was elected to Dáil Eireann in 2002.

Political Career

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