Government of the 22nd Dáil

The 17th government of Ireland (30 June 1981 – 9 March 1982) was the government of Ireland formed after the 1981 general election to the 22nd Dáil. It was a minority coalition government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party led by Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach and lasted for 253 days.

17th government of Ireland
Government of Ireland
Garrett FitzGerald
Date formed30 June 1981
Date dissolved9 March 1982
People and organisations
PresidentPatrick Hillery
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
TánaisteMichael O'Leary
Total no. of members15
Member parties
Status in legislatureMinority Coalition
Opposition partyFianna Fáil
Opposition leaderCharles Haughey
History
Election(s)1981 general election
Legislature term(s)
Predecessor16th government
Successor18th government

Nomination of Taoiseach edit

The 22nd Dáil first met on 30 June 1981. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Charles Haughey, and Fine Gael leader Garret FitzGerald were both proposed.[1] The nomination of Haughey was defeated with 79 votes in favour to 83 against, while the nomination of FitzGerald was carried with 81 in favour and 78 against. FitzGerald was appointed as Taoiseach by President Patrick Hillery.[2]

30 June 1981
Nomination of Garret FitzGerald (FG) as Taoiseach
[3]
Motion proposed by Oliver J. Flanagan and seconded by Ivan Yates
Absolute majority: 84/166
VotePartiesVotes
Y YesFine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Jim Kemmy (1)
81 / 166
NoFianna Fáil (78)
78 / 166
Not votingCeann Comhairle (1), Socialist Labour Party (1), Sinn Féin The Workers' Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus (1)
5 / 166
In prisonAnti H-Block (2)
2 / 166

Government ministers edit

After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Garret FitzGerald proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[2] They were appointed by the president on the same day.[4]

OfficeNameTermParty
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald1981–1982Fine Gael
TánaisteMichael O'Leary1981–1982Labour
Minister for Industry and Energy[a]
Minister for AgricultureAlan Dukes1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for DefenceJames Tully1981–1982Labour
Minister for EducationJohn Boland1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for the EnvironmentPeter Barry1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for FinanceJohn Bruton1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for Fisheries and ForestryTom Fitzpatrick1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for Foreign AffairsJohn Kelly1981 (acting)Fine Gael
Minister for the GaeltachtPaddy O'Toole1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for HealthEileen Desmond1981–1982Labour
Minister for Social Welfare
Minister for JusticeJim Mitchell1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for LabourLiam Kavanagh1981–1982Labour
Minister for the Public Service
Minister for Posts and TelegraphsPatrick Cooney1981–1982Fine Gael
Minister for Transport
Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism[b]John Kelly1981–1982Fine Gael

Change 21 October 1981 edit

Appointment of Sen. James Dooge, whose nomination had to await until after the election to Seanad Éireann.[7][8]

OfficeNameTermParty
Minister for Foreign AffairsJames Dooge1981–1982Fine Gael
Notes
  1. ^ On 21 August 1981, the Department of Energy was renamed as the Department of Industry and Energy.[5]
  2. ^ On 21 August 1981, the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism was renamed as the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism.[6]

Attorney General edit

On 30 July 1981, Peter Sutherland SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[2][4]

Ministers of state edit

On 30 June 1981, the Government appointed Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[4]

NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty
Gerry L'EstrangeTaoiseachGovernment Chief WhipFine Gael
Defence[9]Defence
Edward CollinsIndustry and EnergyOil and Minerals ExplorationFine Gael
Fergus O'BrienEnvironmentHousingFine Gael
Donal CreedHealthHealthFine Gael
Mary FlahertySocial WelfarePoverty and the FamilyFine Gael
Joseph BerminghamFinanceOffice of Public WorksLabour
Barry DesmondFinanceEconomic PlanningLabour
Michael BegleyTrade, Commerce and TourismTourismFine Gael
Michael KeatingEducationYouth and SportFine Gael
Dick SpringJusticeLaw ReformLabour
Michael D'ArcyAgricultureProduction and MarketingFine Gael
Ted NealonAgricultureWestern DevelopmentFine Gael
Jim O'KeeffeForeign AffairsOverseas DevelopmentFine Gael

Change 10 July 1981 edit

Additional appointment[10]

NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty
Paddy HartePosts and Telegraphs[11]TelecommunicationsFine Gael

Change 24 July 1981 edit

Additional appointment[12]

NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty
Mary FlahertyHealthFine Gael

Changes 11 November 1981 edit

Reshuffle on grounds of health of L'Estrange.[13][14]

NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty
Fergus O'BrienTaoiseach[15]Government Chief WhipFine Gael
DefenceDefence
Donal CreedEnvironmentHousingFine Gael
Gerry L'EstrangeHealthHealthFine Gael

Budget edit

On 27 January 1982, the Minister for Finance John Bruton proposed the budget, which was rejected by the Dáil.[16][17]

27 January 1982
Financial Resolutions, 1982
[18]
Absolute majority: 84/166
VotePartiesVotes
YesFine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Socialist Labour Party (1)
81 / 166
N NoFianna Fáil (78), Sinn Féin The Workers' Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Jim Kemmy (1), Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus (1)
82 / 166
Not votingCeann Comhairle (1)
1 / 166
In prisonAnti H-Block (1)
1 / 166
Vacancy1
1 / 166

The Taoiseach sought a dissolution of the Dáil, which was granted by the president, leading to the February 1982 general election.

References edit

  1. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 30 June 1981. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 30 June 1981. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 10 June 1981. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Appointment of Ministers and Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 7 July 1981. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  5. ^ Energy (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1981 (S.I. No. 289 of 1981). Signed on 19 August 1981. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 1 February 2020.
  6. ^ Industry, Commerce and Tourism (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1981 (S.I. No. 290 of 1981). Signed on 19 August 1981. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 1 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Nomination of Member of Government: Motion – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 October 1981. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.; "Nomination of Member of Government: Motion (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 21 October 1981. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.; "Nomination of Member of Government: Motion (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 21 October 1981. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Appointment of Minister – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 22 October 1981. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  9. ^ An tOrdú um Reamhchúram in Aghaidh Aer-Ruathar (Feidhmeanna Aire a Tharmligean) 1981 (S.I. No. 298 of 1981). Signed on 19 August 1981. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 29 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Appointment of Minister of State – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil) – Vol. 329 No. 5". Houses of the Oireachtas. 21 July 1981. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  11. ^ An tOrdú Poist agus Telegrafa (Feidhmeanna Aire a Tharmligean) 1981 (S.I. No. 278 of 1981). Signed on 12 August 1981. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 29 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Appointment of Minister of State – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil) – Vol. 330 No. 1". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 October 1981. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  13. ^ "New Chief Whip". The Irish Times. 12 November 1981. p. 9. Retrieved 13 September 2021. Mr. L'Estrange, who is understood to have asked the Taoiseach, Dr. FitzGerald, to be relieved of his position on health grounds, has been made Minister of State at the Department of Health.
  14. ^ "Resignations and Appointments of Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 11 November 1981. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  15. ^ An tOrdú Staidrimh (Cumhachtaí agus Dualgais a Tharmligean) 1981 (S.I. No. 395 of 1981). Signed on 17 November 1981. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 29 September 2022.
  16. ^ "Financial Resolutions, 1982 - Financial Statement, Budget, 1982 – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 January 1982. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  17. ^ Ó Duibhir, Séan (6 February 2024). "Did a tax on children's shoes really cause a government to fall?". RTÉ. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Financial Resolutions, 1982 - Financial Statement, Budget, 1982 – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 January 1982. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.