National Progressive Democrats (Ireland)

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The National Progressive Democrats was a small left-wing political party that existed in the Republic of Ireland.

The party was founded on a socialist basis in 1958 by Dr Noel Browne and Jack McQuillan. Between 1958 and 1961, 7 of the 9 motions discussed in Private Member’s Time had been proposed by one of them. In 1961 and 1962 they asked 1,400 parliamentary questions, 17% of the total. Seán Lemass paid them a unique compliment by referring to them as "the real opposition". Both were re-elected at the 1961 general election. In spite of this vigorous role in the Dáil the party won little support. The party was disbanded in 1963 as both Browne and McQuillan joined the Labour Party.

This party has no connection with the later Progressive Democrats, which was founded in 1985.

v • d • e Defunct Political Parties in Ireland

To 1918:	All-for-Ireland League • Catholic Union • Home Government Association • Home Rule League • Independent Irish Party • Irish Conservative Party • Irish Liberal Party • Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society • Irish National Federation • Irish National League • Irish Parliamentary Party • Irish Socialist Republican Party • Irish Unionist Alliance • National Association • United Irish League

Post 1918:	Anti-Partition of Ireland League • Aontacht Éireann • British and Irish Communist Organisation • Clann Éireann • Clann na Poblachta • Clann na Talmhan • Córas na Poblachta • Cumann na nGaedhael • Cumann na Poblachta • Cumann Poblachta na hÉireann • Democratic Left • Democratic Socialist Party • Farmers' Party • Independent Fianna Fáil • Irish Independence Party • Irish Workers' Group • Irish Worker League • League for a Workers Republic • Muintir na hÉireann • National Centre Party • National Corporate Party • National Labour Party • National League Party • National Party • National Progressive Democrats • Republican Congress • Saor Éire • Socialist Labour Party • Socialist Party of Ireland