Bobby Molloy

Bobby Molloy
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal
In office 8 July 1997 – 6 June 2002
Taoiseach	Bertie Ahern
Preceded by	Mark Clinton
Succeeded by	Liz McManus
Minister of State to the Government
In office 26 June 1997 – 6 June 2002
Taoiseach	Bertie Ahern
Preceded by	Pat Rabbitte
Succeeded by	Liz O'Donnell
Minister for Energy
In office 12 July 1989 – 4 November 1992
Taoiseach	Charles Haughey Albert Reynolds
Preceded by	Michael Smith
Succeeded by	Albert Reynolds
Minister for Defence
In office 5 July 1977 – 11 December 1979
Taoiseach	Jack Lynch
Preceded by	Oliver J. Flanagan
Succeeded by	Pádraig Faulkner
Minister for Local Government
In office 9 May 1970 – 14 March 1973
Taoiseach	Jack Lynch
Preceded by	Kevin Boland
Succeeded by	James Tully
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education
In office 9 July 1969 – 9 May 1970
Taoiseach	Jack Lynch
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Michael O'Kennedy
Teachta Dála
In office 21 April 1965 – 17 May 2002
Constituency	Galway West
Personal details
Born	9 July 1936 Galway, Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Fianna Fáil Progressive Democrats
Alma mater	University College Galway
Occupation	Businessman

Robert "Bobby" Molloy (born 9 July 1936) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats politician, who served in a wide number of Cabinet positions, most notably as Minister for Local Government, Minister for Defence and Minister for Energy.^[1]

Molloy was born in Galway and was educated at Coláiste Iognáid and University College Galway. Molloy was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency at the 1965 general election.^[2] In 1968 he was also elected Mayor of Galway. The following year he was appointed to the Cabinet as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education. From 1970 to 1973 he served as Minister for Local Government. When Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1977 he became Minister for Defence in the final government of Jack Lynch.

In 1979 Molloy supported George Colley in the Fianna Fáil leadership contest. However Charles Haughey was the eventual victor. After this Molloy was dropped from the Cabinet, becoming a member of the Gang of 22 who opposed Haughey's leadership of the party. In 1986 Molloy resigned from Fianna Fáil and joined the newly formed Progressive Democrats. In 1989 the party entered into coalition with Fianna Fáil, with Molloy becoming Minister for Energy. That same year he contested the European Parliament Elections but was unsuccessful in his attempt. He stood at the European Parliament elections again in 1994 but was again unsuccessful. Following the 1997 general election Molloy helped in the negotiations for forming the coalition government between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. On that occasion he became Minister of State at the Department of the Environment.

Molloy retired from politics just before the 2002 general election amid controversy regarding constituency letters intervening in the rape case of Barbara Naughton.^[3]

References

1. "Mr. Bobby Molloy". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
2. "Bobby Molloy". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
3. "Rape victim settles action against hospital". RTÉ News. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2012.

Sources

• Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001. Galway: Galway City Council. OCLC 51023721 ASIN B003NECRYW