The 18th government of Ireland (9 March – 14 December 1982) was the government of Ireland formed after the February 1982 general election to the 23rd Dáil. It was a minority Fianna Fáil government led by Charles Haughey as Taoiseach, reliant on the support of the Sinn Féin The Workers' Party and independent TD Tony Gregory. It lasted for .
Nomination of Taoiseach The 23rd Dáil first met on 9 March 1982. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey, and Fine Gael leader and outgoing Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald were both proposed. The nomination of Haughey was carried with 86 in favour and 79 against. Haughey was appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.
9 March 1982Nomination of Charles Haughey (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Brian Lenihan and seconded by Ray MacSharryAbsolute majority: 84/166VotePartiesVotes Yes Fianna Fáil (81), Sinn Féin The Workers' Party (3), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1) No Fine Gael (63), Labour Party (15), Independent (1) Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1)
Government ministers After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Charles Haughey proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day. OfficeNameTermTaoiseachCharles HaugheyMar.–Dec. 1982TánaisteRay MacSharryMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for FinanceMinister for AgricultureBrian LenihanMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for DefencePaddy PowerMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for EducationMartin O'DonoghueMar.–Oct. 1982Minister for the EnvironmentRay BurkeMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for Fisheries and ForestryBrendan DalyMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for Foreign AffairsGerry CollinsMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for the GaeltachtPádraig FlynnMar.–Oct. 1982Minister for HealthMichael WoodsMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for Social WelfareMinister for Industry and EnergyAlbert ReynoldsMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for JusticeSeán DohertyMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for LabourGene FitzgeraldMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for the Public ServiceMinister for Posts and TelegraphsJohn WilsonMar.–Dec. 1982Minister for TransportMinister for Trade, Commerce and TourismDesmond O'MalleyMar.–Oct. 1982Changes 7 October 1982 Desmond O'Malley and Martin O'Donoghue resigned on 6 October 1982 aftersupporting an unsuccessful leadership challenge against Charles Haughey.Office NameTermMinister for Trade, Commerce and TourismAlbert Reynolds7–27 Oct 1982Minister for EducationCharles Haughey7–27 Oct 1982Changes 27 October 1982 Gallagher and Brady approved on a vote of 83 to 78.Office NameTermMinister for Trade, Commerce and TourismPádraig FlynnOct.–Dec. 1982Minister for EducationGerard BradyOct.–Dec. 1982Minister for the GaeltachtDenis GallagherOct.–Dec. 1982
Attorney General
On 9 March 1982, Patrick Connolly SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. Connolly resigned on 17 August after Malcolm MacArthur, who had been a house-guest of Connolly's, was arrested for murder. On 18 August 1982, John L. Murray SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state On 9 March, the Government appointed Bertie Ahern on the nomination of the Taoiseach to the post of Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip. On 23 March, the Government appointed the other Ministers of State. Name Department(s)ResponsibilityPartyBertie AhernTaoiseachDefenceGovernment Chief Whip Sylvester BarrettFinanceOffice of Public Works Lorcan AllenAgricultureLand Commission, Production and Marketing Bernard CowenAgricultureDisadvantaged Areas Terry LeydenTransportPosts and TelegraphsTelecommunications Máire Geoghegan-QuinnEducationYouth and Sport Denis GallagherSocial WelfareSocial Welfare Claims Ger ConnollyEnvironmentHousing Gerard BradyEnvironmentUrban Renewal Tom McEllistrimFisheries and ForestryForestry Changes 28 October 1982 Following the appointment of Brady and Gallagher to cabinet.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Rory O'HanlonSocial WelfareSocial Welfare Claims Niall AndrewsEnvironmentUrban Renewal Seán CallearyTrade, Commerce and TourismTourism Jim FitzsimonsIndustry and EnergyEconomic Affairs
Confidence in the government On 1 July 1982, the Dáil voted on a motion of confidence the Taoiseach placed in the government. The motion was carried by a vote of 84 to 77.;
On 4 November 1982, the Dáil voted on a motion of confidence the Taoiseach placed in the government. The motion was defeated, the Workers' Party voting against Haughey, and Tony Gregory abstaining.
4 November 1982Confidence in the GovernmentMotion proposed by Taoiseach Charles HaugheyAbsolute majority: 84/166VotePartiesVotes Yes Fianna Fáil (79), Independent Fianna Fáil (1) No Fine Gael (63), Labour Party (15), Workers' Party (3), Independent (1) Absent or Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1) Vacancy 1
After the vote, Haughey sought a dissolution of the Dáil, which was granted by the president. A second general election of that year was held on 24 November 1982 for the 24th Dáil.
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