John Wilson (Irish politician)

John P. Wilson was Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan from 1973 and for Cavan-Monaghan from 1977 until his retirement from politics in 1992. He served as Tánaiste from November 13, 1990 to January 12, 1993. He was also the Irish Victims Commissioner.

A member of the Fianna Fáil party, Wilson held many ministerial posts during his career prior to serving as Deputy Prime Minister:

Minister for Education - December 1979 - June 1981

Minister for Transport - March 1982 - December 1982

Minister for Posts & Telegraphs - March 1982 - December 1982

Minister for the Marine & Natural Resources - July 1989 - February 1992

Minister for Defence 1992-1993

Wilson unsuccessfully challenged the then-Tánaiste Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil nomination for the 1990 presidential election. Haughey dismissed Lenihan as Tánaiste in controversial circumstances during the presidential election campaign, and Wilson then became Tánaiste.