 In 2010, a founder of the Saatchi & Saatchi advertising firm, said that Haughey had asked for 'a new image' similar to the one provided for Margaret Thatcher for the 1979 general election.When Haughey came to power, the country was sinking into a deep economic crisis, following the 1979 energy crisis.Haughey effectively acted as his own Minister for Finance, ignoring the views of his Minister.