Dev's Try

Ever since Ireland achieved full independence, in 1949, Eamon de Valera's Fianna Fail (Soldiers of Destiny) Party has been out of office and without an issue on which to fight its way in again. Last week doughty old (68) De Valera made a try for a comeback. He missed by a margin no wider than a shamrock leaf.

In Ireland's first general elections since it became a republic, De Valera's party won 69 seats in Parliament. The four other parties and the independent candidates, formerly in a coalition under Prime Minister John Costello, got 78 seats. The question now was whether Costello could hold enough of them together to win a majority when Parliament meets next week. If he fails, "Dev" still has a chance.

One of the issues that had forced Costello to call the elections in the first place: socialized medicine. Ireland's Health Minister, Dr. Noel Browne--an Irish, ascetic version of Britain's Aneurin Bevan--had pressed for a full socialized medicine system, including postnatal care for mothers and free medical care for children. Ireland's doctors opposed the bill and the Roman Catholic Church came out against it because it would mean state interference in private family concerns. Another opponent: Sean MacBride, Foreign Minister in the Costello cabinet and leader of Browne's own party, the Clann Na Poblachta (whose platform is mildly leftish). Denouncing both Costello and MacBride, Browne resigned. Last week Browne, running as an independent, was re-elected to his seat by a comfortable majority. MacBride and his party suffered heavy losses.

No matter who ends up as Prime Minister, he will still face the unresolved, troublesome issue of socialized medicine.

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