Quite a detailed newsletter issued by Fine Gael in June 1985 around the time of the Local Elections.
Informs us about Local Government Reforms. Legislation that has been passed such as The Family Planning Act and proposed Legislation are mentioned. Amongst other items mentioned are Farm Tax, Education and the Fine Gael London Support group.
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A Discussion Paper on Dail Reform from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis.
It is sparse enough in detail, but still indicates how the Dail has changed in the last 25 years.
Things like being Televised, Private Members Bills, The Oireachtas Committee system being established and so on.
A discussion paper on Energy from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis .
Not the most riveting of material but interesting nonetheless.
Part of it is taken up with the then flowing new Natural Gas from Kinsale. A few memories are jogged in the fact that the UK government rejected plans to ‘supply Northern Ireland.
Details are also given regarding the level and nature of oil/gas exploration of our coast.
There is no mention of giving it all away for free.
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis held in Cork. Which was located in Cork to complement the Cork 800 celebrations.
This is the booklet delegates were sent prior to the event (or indeed at the event). I also have a copy of the pack on Motions and policies debated at the Ard Fheis but it is rather large.
In 1985 Fine Gael were in Government.
Some lovely things here. The Neptune Stadium is ‘at most a 20 minute walk’ from City Hall is a bit like all these new estates that were described on the blurb as ’20 minutes from Dublin’.
Extra Pay Phones were installed for the event. The ‘Bed Bureau for delegates’ run by the Cork Kerry Tourism Organisation almost sound dirty.
We have a map of Cork with the one way system marked by arrows and looking very confusing. The Social events included a fashion of the time a ‘Chicken supper’.
The now deceased delegate who gave me this, had ticked off the events they wanted to attend. There were then lists of the panels for election to The National Executive. With the last pages being taken up by amendments to Fine Gael Constitution and Rules.
A Letter from Carmencita Hederman looking for help and funds for the 1985 Local Elections. Carmencita Hederman served from 1974 to 1999 on Dublin City Council as an Independent. She was also elected to the Senate for Trinity in 1989.
A simple flyer from Jimmy Hogan for the 1985 Greystones Town Commission Elections. He also stood in the 1991 Local Elections for the Workers Party.
Its from the back of a Marian White Leaflet (the lady on the left of the picture). Its eyecatching to say the least.
Colm Breathnach, Denis O’Callaghan and Eamon Gilmore were elected.
Irish Election Literature 
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