18 Facts About Austin Deasy

Martin Austin Deasy was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Agriculture from 1982 to 1987.

Austin Deasy served as a Teachta Dala for the Waterford constituency from 1977 to 2002.

Austin Deasy was a Senator from 1973 to 1977, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.

Austin Deasy was educated at Dungarvan CBS, before studying at University College Cork.

Austin Deasy was elected as a Fine Gael member of both Dungarvan Urban District Council and Waterford County Council in 1967, positions he held until 1983.

Austin Deasy was chairman of the latter body from 1980 to 1981, before reclaiming his seat on the Urban District Council from 1994 to 1999.

Austin Deasy was a member of the South East Health Board, Waterford Harbour Commissioners and Waterford Vocational Education Committee.

Austin Deasy contested the 1969 general election, as a Fine Gael candidate for Waterford.

Austin Deasy finished in fifth position again when he stood as a candidate in the same constituency at the 1973 general election.

Austin Deasy was selected as a candidate for the Cultural and Educational Panel for the subsequent election to Seanad Eireann in 1973.

Austin Deasy was successful in being elected that time, taking the third seat in the newly expanded constituency and finishing ahead of his running mate Edward Collins.

Fine Gael returned to opposition following that election Austin Deasy was immediately appointed to the Front Bench as Spokesperson for Fisheries.

The formation of a new Fine Gael-Labour coalition in 1982, saw Austin Deasy being appointed as Minister for Agriculture.

In 1988, Austin Deasy resigned from the Fine Gael Party, in protest against Alan Dukes' Tallaght Strategy, in which Fine Gael would support the minority Fianna Fail government on budgetary related issues.

Austin Deasy called the agreement treacherous and said he could support any party who expressed confidence in Fianna Fail or Charles Haughey.

Austin Deasy later resigned again due to the financial difficulties the party was facing.

In 2000, Austin Deasy introduced an unsuccessful motion of no confidence in Bruton.

In 1961 Austin Deasy married Kathleen Keating, and they had four children.