Fianna Fáil

synonyms: Fianna Fáil The Republican Party One of the two main political parties in the Republic of Ireland. Originally formed from the wing of Sinn Féin which opposed the treaty of 1921. Initially abstained from the Dáil but under Eamon de Valera FF entered the parliament in 1927 and first came to office in 1932. FF has been in power for much of the period since that date. In recent times however in order to form a government FF has had to enter into a coalition with other parties such as the Irish Labour Party (1993-94) and the Progressive Democrats (1997-2002 and 2002-present). Since 1997 when it was returned to office the party has been closely involved in the ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a political settlement in Northern Ireland. Of the two main parties in the Republic, FF has traditionally been regarded by many as tacking a more nationalist and republican line on matters related to Northern Ireland and a United Ireland.