Mr. Whitaker and Industry: Setting the record straight

Abstract

After 16 years of unbroken Fianna Fail rule, the first four of the five general elections of the period 1948-1963 saw sitting governments unseated. Economic policy pivoted: protectionism was abandoned; foreign direct investment welcomed and an application for membership was made to the EEC. Whitaker?s Economic Development appeared in 1958. Lemass took over from de Valera as Taoiseach in 1959. The `long 1950s? remains of enduring fascination to Irish historians.