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 .
Nomination of Taoiseach The 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. 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.
30 June 1981Nomination of Garret FitzGerald (FG) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Oliver J. Flanagan and seconded by Ivan YatesAbsolute majority: 84/166VotePartiesVotes Yes Fine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Jim Kemmy (1) No Fianna Fáil (78) 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) In prison Anti H-Block (2)
Government ministers After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Garret FitzGerald proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day. OfficeNameTermPartyTaoiseachGarret FitzGerald1981–1982 TánaisteMichael O'Leary1981–1982 Minister for Industry and EnergyMinister for AgricultureAlan Dukes1981–1982 Minister for DefenceJames Tully1981–1982 Minister for EducationJohn Boland1981–1982 Minister for the EnvironmentPeter Barry1981–1982 Minister for FinanceJohn Bruton1981–1982 Minister for Fisheries and ForestryTom Fitzpatrick1981–1982 Minister for Foreign AffairsJohn Kelly1981 (acting) Minister for the GaeltachtPaddy O'Toole1981–1982 Minister for HealthEileen Desmond1981–1982 Minister for Social WelfareMinister for JusticeJim Mitchell1981–1982 Minister for LabourLiam Kavanagh1981–1982 Minister for the Public ServiceMinister for Posts and TelegraphsPatrick Cooney1981–1982Fine GaelMinister for TransportMinister for Trade, Commerce and TourismJohn Kelly1981–1982 Change 21 October 1981 Appointment of Sen. James Dooge, whose nomination had to await until after the election to Seanad Éireann.; ; OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Foreign AffairsJames Dooge1981–1982 Notes
Attorney General On 30 July 1981, Peter Sutherland SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state On 30 June 1981, the Government appointed Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach. Name Department(s)ResponsibilityParty Gerry L'EstrangeTaoiseachGovernment Chief Whip DefenceDefenceEdward CollinsIndustry and EnergyOil and Minerals Exploration Fergus O'BrienEnvironmentHousing Donal CreedHealthHealth Mary FlahertySocial WelfarePoverty and the Family Joseph BerminghamFinanceOffice of Public Works Barry DesmondFinanceEconomic Planning Michael BegleyTrade, Commerce and TourismTourism Michael KeatingEducationYouth and Sport Dick SpringJusticeLaw Reform Michael D'ArcyAgricultureProduction and Marketing Ted NealonAgricultureWestern Development Jim O'KeeffeForeign AffairsOverseas Development Change 10 July 1981 Additional appointmentNameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Paddy HartePosts and TelegraphsTelecommunications Change 24 July 1981 Additional appointmentNameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Mary FlahertyHealth Changes 11 November 1981 Reshuffle on grounds of health of L'Estrange.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Fergus O'BrienTaoiseachGovernment Chief Whip DefenceDefenceDonal CreedEnvironmentHousing Gerry L'EstrangeHealthHealth
Budget On 27 January 1982, the Minister for Finance John Bruton proposed the budget, which was rejected by the Dáil.
27 January 1982Financial Resolutions, 1982Absolute majority: 84/166VotePartiesVotes Yes Fine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Socialist Labour Party (1) No Fianna Fáil (78), Sinn Féin The Workers' Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Jim Kemmy (1), Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus (1) Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1) In prison Anti H-Block (1) Vacancy 1
The Taoiseach sought a dissolution of the Dáil, which was granted by the president, leading to the February 1982 general election.
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