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 | |
.jpg) Garrett FitzGerald | |
| Date formed | 30 June 1981 |
| Date dissolved | 9 March 1982 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Patrick Hillery |
| Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
| Tánaiste | Michael O'Leary |
| Total no. of members | 15 |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Minority Coalition |
| Opposition party | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition leader | Charles Haughey |
| History | |
| Election | 1981 general election |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 16th government |
| Successor | 18th government |
Nomination of Taoiseach
editThe 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 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Yes |
Fine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Jim Kemmy (1) | 81 / 166
|
| No | Fianna Fáil (78) | 78 / 166
|
| Not voting | Ceann 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 prison | Anti H-Block (2) | 2 / 166
|
Government ministers
editAfter 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]
- Notes
Attorney General
editOn 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
editOn 30 June 1981, the Government appointed Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[4]
Budget
editOn 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 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Fine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Socialist Labour Party (1) | 81 / 166
|
 No |
Fianna Fáil (78), Sinn Féin The Workers' Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Jim Kemmy (1), Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus (1) | 82 / 166
|
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1) | 1 / 166
|
| In prison | Anti H-Block (1) | 1 / 166
|
| Vacancy | 1 | 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- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Appointment of Minister of State – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil) – Vol. 329 No. 5". Houses of the Oireachtas. 21 July 1981. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Appointment of Minister of State – Dáil Éireann (22nd Dáil) – Vol. 330 No. 1". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 October 1981. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Ó Duibhir, Séan (6 February 2024). "Did a tax on children's shoes really cause a government to fall?". RTÉ. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "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.