Bobby Molloy

 ( 1936 Births ) 

Molloy's early political career was marked by his loyalty to Fianna Fáil's leadership under Taoiseach Jack Lynch. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed Minister for Local Government in 1970, a position he held until 1973. His tenure as Minister for Local Government was characterised by his efforts to modernise and streamline local government structures in Ireland. Molloy's tenure in Fianna Fáil saw him as a stalwart of the party's establishment, though tensions with its leadership grew over the years, particularly with Charlie Haughey.

In opposition from 1973, Molloy served as the frontbench spokesman, where he became involved in a high-profile dispute with Jim Tully, the Labour Minister for Local Government, over the controversial redrawing of constituencies, known as the "Tullymander". Molloy, along with fellow Fianna Fáil member Brendan Crinion, used Dáil privilege to accuse Tully of having an improper commercial relationship with a builder in County Meath. The accusation was strongly denied by Tully and Molloy and Crinion later withdrew the charge. Despite this, Molloy faced severe repercussions, being forced to resign from his frontbench position. He was subsequently condemned by a judicial tribunal and censured by the Dáil for abusing parliamentary privilege.

When Fianna Fáil returned to office in 1977, he became Minister for Defence in the final government of Jack Lynch.

Molloy supported George Colley in the 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election. Charles Haughey won the contest and dropped Molloy, alongside other opponents, from the cabinet. Thereafter Molloy became a member of the Gang of 22 who opposed Haughey's leadership of the party.

In 1989, Molloy contested the European Parliament elections but was unsuccessful in his attempt. Following the 1989 general election Molloy, along with newly elected MEP for Munster Pat Cox, represented the Progressive Democrats in the lengthy negotiations with Fianna Fáil to form a coalition government. Once the negotiations concluded, Molloy was reinstated in the Cabinet as Minister for Energy under Taoiseach Charles Haughey, who had previously caused Molloy's political humiliation a decade earlier. Over the following three years, Molloy and his Progressive Democrat colleague Desmond O'Malley had a working relationship with their former Fianna Fáil colleagues, though tensions grew due to resentment over their presence in the Cabinet. The issue came to a head when Molloy and O'Malley made it clear they would not serve in a Cabinet that included Brian Lenihan Snr, following his controversial remarks during the 1990 Irish presidential election about alleged phone calls to President Patrick Hillery from 1982.

In January 1992, Haughey faced further complications when Seán Doherty revealed information about the phone tapping of journalists dating back to 1982. Despite this, the coalition government ended when Albert Reynolds, Haughey's successor, called for a general election after accusing O'Malley of giving "dishonest" evidence to the Beef Tribunal. Molloy strongly denounced Reynolds’ accusation, describing it as "outrageous," and criticised him for what he perceived as a "lack of generosity" in recent North–South negotiations, in which Molloy had represented the Progressive Democrats in talks with British Unionists.

Molloy stood at the European Parliament elections again in 1994 but was again unsuccessful.

Following the 1997 general election, Molloy was part of the negotiations that led to the formation of a coalition government between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. On that occasion, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government and sat at cabinet as Minister of State to the Government.

In terms of social issues, Molloy was ahead of his time in advocating for progressive policies, particularly on women's rights. In a survey conducted in 1976 by the Women's Political Association (WPA), Molloy scored among the highest of any member of the Dáil for his progressive stance on issues affecting women. He supported measures such as divorce, contraception, and family law reform, which were seen as highly controversial at the time. His responses to the WPA's questions revealed that he held views that were in stark contrast to many of his colleagues within Fianna Fáil. Molloy's progressive views on women's rights were notable, as he was the only member of Jack Lynch's cabinet who consistently supported reformist policies on issues like family law and the role of women in public life.

• Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001. Galway: Galway City Council.