Irish Labour Party

One of the main political parties in the Republic of Ireland. The party was founded in 1912. The party doubled the number of Teachta Dalá (TDs - members of Dáil Éiraeann) it had in the Dáil as a result of the November 1992 general election. The party has been in a number of coalition governments the most recent examples being between 1993-1994 and 1994-1997. The Labour Party is currently led by Pat Rabitte. As Minister for Foreign Affairs Dick Spring had a key role in Northern Ireland policy. The party also jointly nominated Mary Robinson in the 1990 presidential election. During 1999 The Irish Labour Party merged with Democratic Left and the joint party became The Labour Party.