Say what you will about him, but he made an impression! Personally a very corrupt individual, political fortunes mixed. He did, finally, bring in the necessary economic reforms in the late 80s, and he did help lay the groundwork for progress in the six counties, two giant issues in Irish political life. However, the planning and corruption scandals and so on are a huge black mark. He did give us the word GUBU though!
He was a semi dictator, he would have overthrown Irish democracy if he got a chance.
Anyway, I believe it was Garrett Fitzgerald who start the ecomonic reforms when he privatised Irish Sugar.
All Haughey done was add entry barriers into the market, remember Cablelink and the TV deflector controversy?
Not to mention he was able to intimidate politicians with his 'open ballot' strategy.. amongst other things...