Government of the 24th Dáil

The Government of the 24th Dáil or the 19th Government of Ireland (14 December 1982 – 10 March 1987) was the government of Ireland formed after the November 1982 general election. It was a coalition government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party led by Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach.

Government of the 24th Dáil
19th Government of Ireland
Date formed14 December 1982
Date dissolved10 March 1987
People and organisations
PresidentPatrick Hillery
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Tánaiste
Total no. of members15
Member parties
Status in legislatureMajority Coalition
Opposition partyFianna Fáil
Opposition leaderCharles Haughey
History
Election(s)November 1982 general election
Legislature term(s)
Predecessor18th Government
Successor20th Government

The 19th Government lasted for 1,548 days.

19th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of the 24th Dáil first met on 14 December 1982. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, the 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 77 votes in favour to 88 against, while the nomination of FitzGerald was carried with 85 in favour and 79 against. FitzGerald was then appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.[2]

14 December 1982
Nomination of Garret FitzGerald (FG) as Taoiseach[3]
Motion proposed by Kieran Crotty and seconded by Nora Owen
Absolute majority: 84/166
Vote Parties Votes
checkY YesFine Gael (69), Labour Party (16)
85 / 166
NoFianna Fáil (75), Workers' Party (2), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1)
79 / 166
Not votingCeann Comhairle (1), Independent (1)
2 / 166

Members of the Government

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]

Office Name Term Party
Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald[lower-alpha 1] 1982–1987 Fine Gael
Tánaiste Dick Spring 1982–1987 Labour
Minister for the Environment 1982–1983
Minister for Agriculture Austin Deasy 1982–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Defence Patrick Cooney 1982–1986 Fine Gael
Minister for Education Gemma Hussey 1982–1986 Fine Gael
Minister for Finance Alan Dukes 1982–1986 Fine Gael
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Paddy O'Toole 1982–1986 Fine Gael
Minister for the Gaeltacht 1982–1987
Minister for Foreign Affairs Peter Barry 1982–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Health Barry Desmond 1982–1987 Labour
Minister for Social Welfare 1982–1986
Minister for Industry and Energy John Bruton 1982–1983 Fine Gael
Minister for Justice Michael Noonan 1982–1986 Fine Gael
Minister for Labour Liam Kavanagh 1982–1983 Labour
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs Jim Mitchell 1982–1984 Fine Gael
Minister for Transport
Minister for the Public Service John Boland 1982–1986 Fine Gael
Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism Frank Cluskey 1982–1983 Labour

Changes 13 December 1983

Reshuffle on the resignation of Frank Cluskey.[5][6][7]

Office Name Term Party
Minister for Energy[lower-alpha 2] Dick Spring 1983–1987 Labour
Minister for the Environment Liam Kavanagh 1983–1986 Labour
Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism[lower-alpha 3] John Bruton 1983–1986 Fine Gael
Minister for Labour Ruairi Quinn 1983–1987 Labour

Changes 2 January 1984

On the abolition of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and the Department of Transport and the establishment of the Department of Communications.[11]

Office Name Term Party
Minister for Communications[lower-alpha 4] Jim Mitchell 1984–1987 Fine Gael

Changes 14 February 1986

Reshuffle.[13]

Office Name Term Party
Minister for Education Patrick Cooney 1986–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for the Environment John Boland 1986–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Defence Paddy O'Toole 1986–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Finance John Bruton 1986–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Industry and Commerce[lower-alpha 5] Michael Noonan 1986–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Justice Alan Dukes 1986–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for the Public Service Ruairi Quinn 1986–1987 Labour
Minister for Social Welfare Gemma Hussey 1986–1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry[lower-alpha 6] Liam Kavanagh 1986–1987 Labour

Changes 20 January 1987

On 20 January 1987 the Labour Party ministers Dick Spring, Barry Desmond, Liam Kavanagh and Ruairi Quinn resigned from the government. No new members joined the Cabinet and their portfolios were redistributed as follows.

Office Name Term Party
Tánaiste Peter Barry 1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Energy Michael Noonan 1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Health John Boland 1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Labour Gemma Hussey 1987 Fine Gael
Minister for the Public Service John Bruton 1987 Fine Gael
Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry Paddy O'Toole 1987 Fine Gael
Notes
  1. Garret FitzGerald was acting Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism from 8 to 13 December 1983 following the resignation of Frank Cluskey.[5]
  2. The Department of Industry and Energy was renamed as the Department of Energy on 17 December 1983.[8][9]
  3. The Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism was renamed as the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism on 17 December 1983.[10][9]
  4. The Department of Posts and Telegraphs and the Department of Transport were abolished and replaced by the Department of Communications on 2 January 1984.[12]
  5. The Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism was renamed as the Department of Industry and Commerce on 19 February 1986.[14]
  6. The Department of Fisheries and Forestry was renamed as the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry on 19 February 1986.[15]

Attorney General

On 14 December 1982, Peter Sutherland SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[2][4] He resigned as Attorney General on 12 December 1984 on his nomination as European Commissioner. On 13 December 1984, John Rogers SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[16]

Ministers of State

On 14 December 1982, the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Seán Barrett to the post of Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip.[2] On 16 December 1982, the Government appointed the other Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[17]

Name Department(s) Responsibility Party
Seán Barrett Taoiseach[18]
Defence[19]		 Government Chief Whip Fine Gael
Nuala Fennell Taoiseach Women's Affairs and Family Law Reform Fine Gael
Ted Nealon Taoiseach[20] Arts and Culture Fine Gael
Ruairi Quinn Environment[21] Urban Affairs and Housing Labour
Jim O'Keeffe Foreign Affairs Overseas Development Fine Gael
Patrick Hegarty Agriculture Production Fine Gael
Paul Connaughton Snr Agriculture Land Structure and Development Fine Gael
Joseph Bermingham Finance Office of Public Works Labour
Edward Collins Industry and Energy Energy Affairs Fine Gael
John Donnellan Posts and Telegraphs[22]
Transport		 Posts and Telegraphs Service Fine Gael
Michael Moynihan Trade, Commerce and Tourism Tourism Labour
George Birmingham Labour Youth Affairs Fine Gael
Fergus O'Brien Health[23]
Social Welfare		 Public Health and Social Welfare Information Fine Gael
Donal Creed Education School Buildings and Sport Fine Gael
Michael D'Arcy Fisheries and Forestry
Gaeltacht		 Fisheries and Forestry Fine Gael

Changes 7 January 1983

Nuala Fennell was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for Family Law Reform in addition to her existing post.[24]

Changes 18 February 1983

Ted Nealon was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs with responsibility for broadcasting in addition to his existing post.[25][26]

Changes 15 December 1983

Reshuffle on the appointment of Ruairi Quinn to cabinet.[9]

Name Department(s) Responsibility Party
Edward Collins Trade, Commerce and Tourism Commercial Affairs Fine Gael
John Donnellan Health[27]
Social Welfare		 Public Health and Social Welfare Information Fine Gael
George Birmingham Education Co-ordination of Education and Training Fine Gael
Fergus O'Brien Environment Urban Affairs, Housing and Local Government Reform Fine Gael
Séamus Pattison Social Welfare Social Welfare Administration Labour

Changes 2 January 1984

Ted Nealon was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Communications with responsibility for radio and television on the creation of the new department.[11][28]

Changes 13 February 1986

Reshuffle, including the resignation of Joseph Bermingham.[13]

Name Department(s) Responsibility Party
Fergus O'Brien Taoiseach
Defence[29]
Environment		 Government Chief Whip
Urban Development		 Fine Gael
Seán Barrett Taoiseach
Education		 Dáil Reform
Sport		 Fine Gael
Jim O'Keeffe Public Service Fine Gael
Patrick Hegarty Agriculture
Industry and Commerce		 Food Sector Fine Gael
George Birmingham Foreign Affairs European Affairs and Development Co-operation Fine Gael
Toddy O'Sullivan Environment Grants Administration Labour
Edward Collins Industry and Commerce
Energy		 Commerce and Services Fine Gael
John Donnellan Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry Fisheries Fine Gael
Michael Moynihan Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry Tourism Labour

Changes 18 February 1986

Following the dismissal from office of Donal Creed and Michael D'Arcy, who had refused to resign in order to facilitate the reshuffle.[30]

Enda Kenny Labour
Education		 Youth Affairs Fine Gael
Avril Doyle Finance
Environment		 Office of Public Works
and Environmental Protection		 Fine Gael

Changes 23 September 1986

Following the dismissal of Edward Collins.[31]

Name Department(s) Responsibility Party
Richard Bruton Energy
Industry and Commerce		 Energy Affairs Fine Gael

Changes 20 January 1987

On 20 January 1987 the Labour Party Ministers of State resigned their positions.

Confidence in the government

After the February 1986 reshuffle, including the failure of FitzGerald to move Barry Desmond from the Department of Health and having misinformed the Dáil about the resignation of ministers of state who were subsequently sacked, Charles Haughey sought to move a motion of no confidence in the government. This was debated as a motion of confidence in the Taoiseach, proposed by Tánaiste Dick Spring.[32] The motion of confidence was carried on 21 February 1986 by a vote of 82 to 77.[33]

In June 1986, Joseph Bermingham had resigned from the Labour Party, leaving the coalition parties in a minority.[34] In October 1986, moved a motion of no confidence in the government. This was debated as a motion of confidence in the Taoiseach and the government, proposed by Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald.[35] The motion of confidence was carried on 23 October 1986 by a vote of 83 to 81.[36] Bermingham voted with the government; Seán Treacy, who had resigned from Labour in February 1985, voted with the opposition.

Government policy

The "republican crusade" flagged by Garret Fitzgerald when he was previously in government in 1981 was progressed with some changes in policy on Northern Ireland and social issues.

Economics

The government resorted to high marginal tax rates to curb the national debt, which had increased when spending commitments accrued under the 1977–81 government's expansion of the public sector became unsustainable after the 1979 energy crisis. High taxes and high unemployment brought a return to high net emigration, a long-established Irish flow which had temporarily reversed in the 1970s. An economic policy document, "Building on reality", was published in 1984.[37]

Constitutional referendums

The Eighth Amendment to recognise the right to life of the unborn had been proposed by the previous government. It was adopted by the FitzGerald government, but not supported by Labour. An attempt to amend the wording was unsuccessful. The amendment was approved in a referendum in September 1983.

The Ninth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland permitted legislation to allow non-Irish citizens to vote in Dáil elections.

A referendum to ease the ban on divorce was defeated in 1986.

Contraception

A bill to ease restrictions on contraception was passed in 1985. The failure of Desmond O'Malley to vote against this legislation led to his expulsion from Fianna Fáil.[38] O'Malley later established the Progressive Democrats in December 1985.

Northern Ireland

The government's New Ireland Forum was a prelude to the Anglo-Irish Agreement signed in 1985.

See also

References
  1. "Nomination of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 December 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  2. "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 December 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  3. "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 December 1982. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  4. "Appointment of Ministers and Minister of State – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 December 1982. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  5. "Resignation of Member of Government: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 December 1983. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  6. "Nomination of Member of Government: Motion – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 December 1983. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  7. "Appointment and Reassignment of Ministers: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 December 1983. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  8. Industry and Energy (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 385 of 1983). Signed on 15 December 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 25 January 2020.
  9. "Ministerial Appointments and Titles – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 16 December 1983. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  10. Trade, Commerce and Tourism (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 385 of 1983). Signed on 15 December 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 25 January 2020.
  11. "Assignment of Department: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 8 January 1984. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  12. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1983 (No. 40 of 1983). Enacted on 27 December 1983. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 August 2019.; Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 (An Post) (Vesting Day) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 407 of 1983). Signed on 21 December 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 August 2019.
  13. "Ministerial Assignments and Titles: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 February 1986. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  14. Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1986 (S.I. No. 41 of 1986). Signed on 18 February 1986. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 25 January 2020.
  15. Fisheries and Forestry (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1986 (S.I. No. 40 of 1986). Signed on 18 February 1986. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 25 January 2020.
  16. "Appointment of Attorney General – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 December 1984. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  17. "Appointment of Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 16 December 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  18. An tOrdú Staidrimh (Feidhmeanna Aire a Tharmligean) 1983 (S.I. No. 13 of 1983). Signed on 12 January 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  19. An tOrdú umRéamhchúram in Aghaidh Aer-Ruathar (Feidhmeanna Aire a Tharmligean) 1983 (S.I. No. 94 of 1983). Signed on 29 March 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  20. Taoiseach (Delegation of Functions) Order 1984 (S.I. No. 36 of 1984). Signed on 7 February 1984. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  21. Environment (Delegation of Functions) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 272 of 1983). Signed on 23 September 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  22. An tOrdú Poist agus Telegrafa (Feidhmeanna Aire a Tharmligean) 1983 (S.I. No. 59 of 1983). Signed on 1 March 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  23. Health (Delegation of Functions) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 322 of 1983). Signed on 21 October 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  24. "Appointment of Minister of State and Allocation of Responsibilities: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 26 January 1983. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  25. "Appointment of Minister of State: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 22 February 1983. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  26. An tOrdú Poist agus Telegrafa (Feidhmeanna Aire a Tharmligean) (Uimh. 2) 1983 (S.I. No. 106 of 1983). Signed on 15 April 1983. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  27. Health (Delegation of Functions) Order 1984 (S.I. No. 4 of 1984). Signed on 6 January 1984. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  28. Communications (Delegation of Functions) Order 1984 (S.I. No. 146 of 1984). Signed on 29 May 1984. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  29. An tOrdú umRéamhchúram in Aghaidh Aer-Ruathar (Feidhmeanna Aire a Tharmligean) 1986 (S.I. No. 284 of 1983). Signed on 24 July 1986. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 October 2022.
  30. "Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 18 February 1986. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  31. "Removal and Appointment of Ministers of State: Announcement by the Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 22 October 1986. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  32. "Confidence in Government: Motion – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 363 No. 15". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 February 1986. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.; "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 363 No. 15". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 February 1986. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2020.; "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 363 No. 16". Houses of the Oireachtas. 21 February 1986. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  33. "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed) – Votes – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – 21 February 1986". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  34. Cooney, John (11 June 1986). "TD's defection leaves Coalition in minority". The Irish Times. p. 1. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  35. "Confidence in Government: Motion – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 369 No. 1". Houses of the Oireachtas. 22 October 1986. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.; "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 369 No. 2". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 October 1986. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.; "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 369 No. 2". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 October 1986. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  36. "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed) – Votes – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – 23 October 1986". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  37. Department of the Taoiseach (2 October 1984). Building on Reality 1984-87 (National Economic Plan) (PDF). Government publications. Vol. Pl.2648 (8679). Ireland: Oireachtas. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  38. "Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Bill, 1985: Second Stage (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 February 1985. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
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