1926- . Irish politician. As Taoiseach (prime
minister) 1981-82 and again 1982-86, he was
noted for his attempts to solve the Northern
Ireland dispute, ultimately by participating
in the Anglo-Irish agreement 1985. He tried
to remove some of the overtly Catholic
features of the constitution to make the
Republic more attractive to Northern
Protestants. He retired as leader of the Fine
Gael Party 1987.