Government of the 21st Dáil


There were two Governments of the 21st Dáil, which was elected at the 1977 general election on 16 June 1977. The 15th Government of Ireland was led by Jack Lynch as Taoiseach, while the 16th Government of Ireland was led by Charles Haughey. Both were single-party majority Fianna Fáil governments.
The 15th Government lasted for 889 days and the 16th Government lasted for 567 days.

15th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of the 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. Lynch was then appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.

Members of the Government

After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Jack Lynch proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.
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Attorney General

On 5 July 1977, Anthony J. Hederman SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Parliamentary Secretaries (5 July 1977 – 1 January 1978)

On 5 July 1977, the Government appointed Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of State (1 January 1978 – 11 December 1979)

Following the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1977, the post of Parliamentary Secretary was abolished and replaced by a new post of Minister of State. A maximum of 10 Ministers of State could be appointed.

Changes 1 January 1979

was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Justice in addition to his existing post.

Changes 1 July 1979

Changes following the election of Patrick Lalor to the European Parliament.
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Decisions of the government

This government approved the Nuclear Energy Board plans for a plant at Carnsore Point to go ahead. Desmond O'Malley, as the minister with responsibility for the board was central to this policy. Later the 16th Government, under the same Dáil, dropped these plans.

Resignation

Following the resignation of Jack Lynch as leader of Fianna Fáil, Charles Haughey won the leadership election held on 7 December 1979. Lynch resigned as Taoiseach on 11 December 1979.

16th Government of Ireland

The 16th Government was formed by Charles Haughey following the resignation of Jack Lynch.

Nomination of Taoiseach

On 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. Haughey was then appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.

Members of the Government

After 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. They were appointed by the president on the same day.

Changes 22 January 1980

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Changes 25 January 1980

Changes made to ministerial roles.
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Changes 24 March 1980

Changes made to ministerial roles.
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Changes 15 October 1980

Election of Pádraig Faulkner as Ceann Comhairle.
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Changes 16 December 1980

Appointment of Michael O'Kennedy as European Commissioner.
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Attorney General

On 11 December 1979, Anthony J. Hederman SC was re-appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of State

On 12 December 1979, the Government appointed Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Changes 25 March 1980

The number of Ministers of State was increased from 10 to 15 following the enactment of the
Ministers and Secretaries Act 1980.
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Changes 15 October 1980

Changes following the appointment of Ray Burke to cabinet.
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Changes 17 December 1980

Changes following the appointment of Tom Nolan to cabinet.
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Footnotes