Government of the 28th Dáil

The 25th government of Ireland (26 June 1997 – 6 June 2002) was the government of Ireland formed after the 1997 general election to the 28th Dáil held on 6 June 1997. It was a minority coalition government of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, led by Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach. It lasted .

Nomination of Taoiseach The 28th Dáil first met on 26 June 1997. In the debate on the nomination of Taoisech, both outgoing Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader John Bruton and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern were proposed. The vote on Bruton was defeated with 75 votes in favour to 87 against, while the vote on Ahern was approved by 85 to 78. Ahern was then appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary Robinson.

26 June 1997Nomination of Bertie Ahern (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by David Andrews and seconded by Mary O'RourkeAbsolute majority: 84/166 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fianna Fáil (77), Progressive Democrats (4), Independent (3), Sinn Féin (1) No Fine Gael (54), Labour Party (16), Democratic Left (4), Green Party (2), Independent (1), Socialist Party (1) Not voting Independent (2), Ceann Comhairle (1)

Government ministers After his appointment by the president, Bertie Ahern proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day. OfficeNameTermPartyTaoiseachBertie Ahern1997–2002 TánaisteMary Harney1997–2002 Minister for Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentMinister for Marine and Natural ResourcesMichael Woods1997–2000 Minister for Foreign AffairsRay Burke1997 Minister for Public EnterpriseMary O'Rourke1997–2002 Minister for DefenceDavid Andrews1997 Minister for Agriculture and FoodJoe Walsh1997–2002 Minister for FinanceCharlie McCreevy1997–2002 Minister for Health and ChildrenBrian Cowen1997–2000 Minister for the Environment and Local GovernmentNoel Dempsey1997–2002 Minister for Social, Community and Family AffairsDermot Ahern1997–2002 Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the IslandsSíle de Valera1997–2002 Minister for Justice, Equality and Law ReformJohn O'Donoghue1997–2002 Minister for Tourism, Sport and RecreationJim McDaid1997–2002 Minister for Education and ScienceMicheál Martin1997–2000 Changes 8 October 1997 Following the resignation of Ray Burke after allegations of corrupt payments under investigation by the Flood Tribunal.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Foreign AffairsDavid Andrews1997–2000 Minister for DefenceMichael Smith1997–2002 Changes 27 January 2000 Following the retirement from government of David Andrews.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Education and ScienceMichael Woods2000–2002 Minister for Foreign AffairsBrian Cowen2000–2002 Minister for Health and ChildrenMicheál Martin2000–2002 Minister for Marine and Natural ResourcesFrank Fahey2000–2002

Changes to Departments

Attorney General David Byrne SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. In 1999, he resigned on his nomination as European Commissioner. On 7 July 1999, Michael McDowell SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of state Appointments 26 June 1997 The government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed ministers of state in attendance at cabinet meetings without a vote.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartySéamus BrennanTaoiseachDefenceGovernment Chief Whip Bobby MolloyMinister of State to the GovernmentEnvironment and Local Government; Housing and urban renewal Appointments 1 July 1997 The government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Michael Smith and Liz O'Donnell.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyMichael SmithEducation and ScienceEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentScience and technology Liz O'DonnellForeign AffairsOverseas development assistance and human rights Appointments 8 July 1997 The government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed 13 further ministers of state.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyNoel DavernAgriculture and Food; Livestock breeding and horticulture Joe JacobPublic Enterprise; ; ; Energy Frank FaheyHealth and ChildrenChildren Willie O'DeaEducation and Science; Adult education, youth affairs and school transport Tom KittEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentEnterprise, Trade and Employment; Labour affairs, consumer rights and international trade Chris FloodTourism, Sport and RecreationLocal development and the National Drugs Strategy Team Dan WallaceEnvironment and Local GovernmentEnvironmental information and awareness andthe Environmental Protection Agency Ned O'KeeffeAgriculture and FoodFood Hugh ByrneMarine and Natural Resources; Aquaculture and forestry Mary WallaceJustice, Equality and Law ReformEquality and disabilities Martin CullenFinanceOffice of Public Works Éamon Ó CuívArts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the IslandsGaeltacht and the islands Tom MoffattHealth and Children; Food safety and older people Changes 9 October 1997 Following the appointment of Michael Smith as Minister for Defence on 8 October.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyNoel TreacyEducation and ScienceEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentScience and technology Changes 21 January 1998 Expansion of scope of Minister of State for Children.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyFrank FaheyHealth and ChildrenJustice, Equality and Law ReformEducation and ScienceChildren Changes 1 February 2000 Following the resignation of Chris Flood and the appointment of Frank Fahey as Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyEoin RyanTourism, Sport and RecreationLocal development Mary HanafinHealth and ChildrenJustice, Equality and Law ReformEducation and ScienceChildren Changes 19 February 2001 Following the resignation of Ned O'Keeffe on 17 February.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyÉamon Ó CuívAgriculture, Food and Rural DevelopmentRural development and the Western Development Commission Mary CoughlanArts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the IslandsGaeltacht and the Islands Changes 11 April 2002 Following the resignation of Bobby Molloy as a Minister of State on 10 April 2002. O'Donnell continued in her position as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Molloy's position as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government was not filled.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyLiz O'DonnellMinister of State to the Government

Confidence in the government After evidence given by Ahern at the Moriarty Tribunal, a motion of no confidence was proposed in the government. This was then debated on 30 June 2000 as a motion of confidence in the government, proposed by the Taoiseach. It was approved by the Dáil.

Dissolution On 25 April 2002, the president dissolved the Dáil on the advice of the Taoiseach, and a general election was held on 17 May. The 29th Dáil met on 6 June and Bertie Ahern was re-appointed as Taoiseach and formed a new government.

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