There were two governments of the 21st Dáil, which was elected at the 1977 general election on 16 June 1977. Both were single-party majority Fianna Fáil governments. The 15th government of Ireland (5 July 1977 – 11 December 1979) was led by Jack Lynch as Taoiseach and lasted for 890 days. The 16th government of Ireland (11 December 1979 – 30 June 1981) was led by Charles Haughey and lasted for 568 days.
15th government of Ireland
edit15th government of Ireland | |
|---|---|
 Government of Ireland | |
 | |
| Date formed | 5 July 1977 |
| Date dissolved | 11 December 1979 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Patrick Hillery |
| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch |
| Tánaiste | George Colley |
| Total no. of members | 15 |
| Member party | Fianna Fáil |
| Status in legislature | Majority Government |
| Opposition party | Fine Gael |
| Opposition leader | Garret FitzGerald |
| History | |
| Election | 1977 general election |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 14th government |
| Successor | 16th government |
Nomination of Taoiseach
editThe 21st Dáil first met on 5 July 1977. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Jack Lynch was proposed, and this proposal was carried with 82 votes in favour and 61 votes against.[1] Lynch was appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.[2]
| 5 July 1977 Nomination of Jack Lynch (FF) as Taoiseach[3] Motion proposed by Vivion de Valera and seconded by Kit Ahern Absolute majority: 75/148 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Yes |
Fianna Fáil (82) | 82 / 148
|
| No | Fine Gael (43), Labour Party (16), Independent (2) | 61 / 148
|
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1), Labour Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1) | 5 / 148
|
Members of the Government
editAfter his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Jack Lynch 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]
| Office | Name | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch | 1977–1979 | |
| Tánaiste | George Colley | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Finance | |||
| Minister for the Public Service | |||
| Minister for Agriculture | Jim Gibbons | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Defence | Bobby Molloy | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Economic Planning and Development[a][7] | Martin O'Donoghue | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Education | John Wilson | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for the Environment[b] | Sylvester Barrett | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Fisheries[c] | Brian Lenihan | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | Michael O'Kennedy | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for the Gaeltacht | Denis Gallagher | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Health | Charles Haughey | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Social Welfare | |||
| Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy[d] | Desmond O'Malley | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Justice | Gerry Collins | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Labour | Gene Fitzgerald | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Posts and Telegraphs | Pádraig Faulkner | 1977–1979 | |
| Minister for Tourism and Transport[e] | |||
- Notes
- ^ The Department of Economic Planning and Development was established by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1977 which was commenced on 13 December 1977.[5][6] O'Donoghue was a member of the government as a minister without portfolio until that date.
- ^ The Department of Local Government was renamed as the Department of the Environment on 17 August 1977.[8]
- ^ The Department of Fisheries was renamed as the Department of Fisheries and Forestry on 15 July 1978.[9]
- ^ The Department of Industry and Commerce was renamed as the Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy on 23 September 1977.[10]
- ^ The Department of Transport and Power was renamed as the Department of Tourism and Transport on 23 September 1977.[11]
Attorney General
editOn 5 July 1977, Anthony J. Hederman SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[2][4]
Parliamentary Secretaries (5 July 1977 – 1 January 1978)
editOn 5 July 1977, the Government appointed Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[4]
Ministers of State (1 January 1978 – 11 December 1979)
editFollowing the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1977, the post of Parliamentary Secretary was abolished and replaced by a new post of Minister of State.[13] A maximum of 10 Ministers of State could be appointed.[14] On 14 December 1977, Taoiseach Jack Lynch announced that the existing Parliamentary Secretaries would be appointed as Ministers of State in their respective departments with effect from 1 January 1978, and the appointment of three TDs as additional Ministers of State who would also take office on that date.[15]
| Name | Department(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Lalor | Taoiseach[16] (Government Chief Whip) | |
| Defence[17] | ||
| David Andrews | Foreign Affairs | |
| Jim Tunney | Education | |
| Tom Fitzpatrick | Posts and Telegraphs[18] | |
| Tourism and Transport | ||
| Pearse Wyse | Finance | |
| Thomas Hussey | Agriculture[19] | |
| Máire Geoghegan-Quinn | Industry, Commerce and Energy | |
| John O'Leary | Environment[15] | |
| Ray MacSharry | Public Service[20][15] | |
| Ray Burke | Industry, Commerce and Energy[15] | |
Changes 1 January 1979editDavid Andrews was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Justice in addition to his existing post.[21] | ||
Changes 1 July 1979editChanges following the election of Patrick Lalor to the European Parliament. | ||
| Name | Department(s) | |
| Michael Woods | Taoiseach[22] (Government Chief Whip) | |
| Defence[23] | ||
Decisions of the government
editThis government approved the Nuclear Energy Board plans for a plant at Carnsore Point to go ahead. Desmond O'Malley, as Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, was central to this policy. Later the 16th Government, during the same Dáil, dropped these plans.[citation needed]
Confidence in the government
editOn 29 May 1979, Frank Cluskey proposed a motion of no confidence in the government, citing the "serious economic mismanagement of the country by the Government". Brian Lenihan, Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, proposed an amendment to the motion expressing "satisfaction at the Government's management of the economy".[24] On the following day, the amendment was carried by a vote of 67 to 46.[25]
Resignation
editShortly after the loss by Fianna Fáil of two by-elections in Cork on 7 November 1979, Jack Lynch resigned as Fianna Fáil leader. Charles Haughey won the leadership election held on 7 December 1979. Lynch resigned as Taoiseach on 11 December 1979.[26]
16th government of Ireland
edit16th government of Ireland | |
|---|---|
| Government of Ireland | |
 | |
| Date formed | 11 December 1979 |
| Date dissolved | 30 June 1981 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Patrick Hillery |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Tánaiste | George Colley |
| Total no. of members | 15 |
| Member party | Fianna Fáil |
| Status in legislature | Majority Government |
| Opposition party | Fine Gael |
| Opposition leader | Garret FitzGerald |
| History | |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 15th government |
| Successor | 17th government |
The 16th government was formed by Charles Haughey following the resignation of Jack Lynch.
Nomination of Taoiseach
editOn 11 December 1979, Haughey was proposed for the nomination of the Dáil for the position of Taoiseach, and this proposal was carried with 82 votes in favour and 62 votes against.[27] Haughey was appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.[28]
| 11 December 1979 Nomination of Charles Haughey (FF) as Taoiseach Motion proposed by Jack Lynch Absolute majority: 75/148 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Yes |
Fianna Fáil (82) | 82 / 148
|
| No | Fine Gael (44), Labour Party (17), Independent (1) | 62 / 148
|
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1), Fine Gael (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1) | 4 / 148
|
Members of the Government
editAfter his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Charles Haughey proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil on 12 December.[29] They were appointed by the president on the same day.[30]
- Notes
- ^ a b The Department of Tourism and Transport was renamed as the Department of Transport on 25 January 1980.[31]
- ^ The functions of the Department of Economic Planning were transferred to the Department of Finance on 1 January 1980.[32]
- ^ a b The Department of Economic Planning and Development was renamed as the Department of Energy on 21 January 1980.[33]
- ^ The Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy was renamed as the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism on 23 January 1980.[34]
- ^ Held in addition to the Posts and Telegraphs portfolio.
- ^ Held in addition to the Labour portfolio.
- ^ Held in addition to the Public Service portfolio.
Attorney General
editOn 11 December 1979, Anthony J. Hederman SC was re-appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[29][30]
Ministers of State
editOn 12 December 1979, the Government appointed Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[42]
| Name | Department(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Seán Moore | Taoiseach[43] (Government Chief Whip) Defence[44][45] | |
| Jackie Fahey | Environment | |
| Jim Tunney | Education[46] | |
| Thomas Hussey | Agriculture[47] | |
| Ray Burke | Industry, Commerce and Tourism | |
| Lorcan Allen | Agriculture[48] | |
| Ger Connolly | Environment | |
| Tom McEllistrim | Finance | |
| Seán Calleary | Public Service Labour | |
| Mark Killilea Jnr | Posts and Telegraphs[49] | |
Changes 25 March 1980editThe number of Ministers of State was increased from 10 to 15 following the enactment of the | ||
| Name | Department(s) | |
| Thomas Meaney | Industry, Commerce and Tourism | |
| Tom Nolan | Health Social Welfare | |
| Brendan Daly | Labour | |
| Pádraig Flynn | Transport | |
| Seán Doherty | Justice | |
Changes 15 October 1980edit | ||
| Name | Department(s) | |
| Denis Gallagher | Industry, Commerce and Tourism | |
Changes 17 December 1980edit | ||
| Name | Department(s) | |
| Thomas Hussey | Health Social Welfare | |
| Michael Smith | Agriculture[51] | |
References
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- ^ a b c "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government – Dáil Éireann (21st Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 5 July 1977. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – Dáil Éireann (21st Dáil) – Tuesday, 5 July 1977". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b c "Ceapachain mar Airí agus Rúnaí Parlaiminte – Dáil Éireann (21st Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 6 July 1977. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1977 (No. 27 of 1977). Enacted on 6 December 1977. Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 14 August 2019.
- ^ Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1977 (Appointed Day) Order 1977 (S.I. No. 377 of 1977). Signed on 9 December 1977. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 1 February 2020.
- ^ "Assignment of Department: Statement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (21st Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 December 1977. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "Local Government (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1977". Irish Statute Book. 16 August 1977. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
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