There were two governments of the 21st Dáil, which was elected at the 1977 general election on 16 June 1977. Both were single-party majority Fianna Fáil governments. The 15th government of Ireland (5 July 1977 – 11 December 1979) was led by Jack Lynch as Taoiseach and lasted for . The 16th government of Ireland (11 December 1979 – 30 June 1981) was led by Charles Haughey and lasted for .
15th government of Ireland
Nomination of Taoiseach 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 appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.
5 July 1977Nomination of Jack Lynch (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Vivion de Valera and seconded by Kit AhernAbsolute majority: 75/148VotePartiesVotes Yes Fianna Fáil (82) No Fine Gael (43), Labour Party (16), Independent (2) Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1), Labour Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1)
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.
Office NameTermTaoiseachJack Lynch1977–1979TánaisteGeorge Colley1977–1979Minister for FinanceMinister for the Public ServiceMinister for AgricultureJim Gibbons1977–1979Minister for DefenceBobby Molloy1977–1979Minister for Economic Planning and DevelopmentMartin O'Donoghue1977–1979Minister for EducationJohn Wilson1977–1979Minister for the EnvironmentSylvester Barrett1977–1979Minister for FisheriesBrian Lenihan1977–1979Minister for Foreign AffairsMichael O'Kennedy1977–1979Minister for the GaeltachtDenis Gallagher1977–1979Minister for HealthCharles Haughey1977–1979Minister for Social WelfareMinister for Industry, Commerce and EnergyDesmond O'Malley1977–1979Minister for JusticeGerry Collins1977–1979Minister for LabourGene Fitzgerald1977–1979Minister for Posts and TelegraphsPádraig Faulkner1977–1979Minister for Tourism and Transport Notes
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. Name OfficePatrick LalorGovernment Chief WhipParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for DefenceDavid AndrewsParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign AffairsJim TunneyParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for EducationTom FitzpatrickParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Posts and TelegraphsParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism and TransportPearse WyseParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for FinanceThomas HusseyParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for AgricultureMáire Geoghegan-QuinnParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce
Ministers of State (1 January 1978 – 11 December 1979) Following the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) 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. On 14 December 1977, Taoiseach Jack Lynch announced that the existing Parliamentary Secretaries would be appointed as Ministers of State in their respective departments with effect from 1 January 1978, and the appointment of three TDs as additional Ministers of State who would also take office on that date. Name Department(s)Patrick LalorTaoiseach (Government Chief Whip)DefenceDavid AndrewsForeign AffairsJim TunneyEducationTom FitzpatrickPosts and TelegraphsTourism and TransportPearse WyseFinanceThomas HusseyAgricultureMáire Geoghegan-QuinnIndustry, Commerce and EnergyJohn O'LearyEnvironmentRay MacSharryPublic ServiceRay BurkeIndustry, Commerce and EnergyChanges 1 January 1979 Appointment to additional department.Name Department(s) David AndrewsJusticeChanges 1 July 1979 Following resignation of Patrick Lalor on 17 June 1979 on his election to the European Parliament.Name Department(s) Michael WoodsTaoiseach (Government Chief Whip)Defence
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 Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, was central to this policy. Later the 16th Government, during the same Dáil, dropped these plans.
Confidence in the government On 29 May 1979, Frank Cluskey proposed a motion of no confidence in the government, citing the "serious economic mismanagement of the country by the Government". Brian Lenihan, Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, proposed an amendment to the motion expressing "satisfaction at the Government's management of the economy". On the following day, the amendment was carried by a vote of 67 to 46.
Resignation Shortly after the loss by Fianna Fáil of two by-elections in Cork on 7 November 1979, Jack Lynch resigned as Fianna Fáil leader. 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 appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.
11 December 1979Nomination of Charles Haughey (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Jack LynchAbsolute majority: 75/148VotePartiesVotes Yes Fianna Fáil (82) No Fine Gael (44), Labour Party (17), Independent (1) Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1), Fine Gael (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1)
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.
Office NameTermTaoiseachCharles Haughey1979–1981TánaisteGeorge Colley1979–1981Minister for Tourism and Transport1979–1980Minister for AgricultureRay MacSharry1979–1981Minister for DefencePádraig Faulkner1979–1980Minister for Economic Planning and DevelopmentMichael O'Kennedy1979–1980Minister for FinanceMinister for the Public ServiceMinister for EducationJohn Wilson1979–1981Minister for the EnvironmentSylvester Barrett1979–1980Minister for Fisheries and ForestryPaddy Power 1979–1981Minister for Foreign AffairsBrian Lenihan1979–1981Minister for the GaeltachtMáire Geoghegan-Quinn1979–1981Minister for HealthMichael Woods1979–1981Minister for Social WelfareMinister for Industry, Commerce and EnergyDesmond O'Malley1979–1981Minister for JusticeGerry Collins1979–1981Minister for LabourGene Fitzgerald1979–1980Minister for Posts and TelegraphsAlbert Reynolds1979–1981Changes 22 January 1980Office NameTermMinister for EnergyGeorge Colley1980–1981Changes 25 January 1980 Changes made to ministerial roles.Office NameTermMinister for TransportAlbert Reynolds1980–1981Changes 24 March 1980 Changes made to ministerial roles.Office NameTermMinister for the Public ServiceGene Fitzgerald1980–1981Changes 15 October 1980 Election of Pádraig Faulkner as Ceann Comhairle.Office NameTermMinister for DefenceSylvester Barrett1980–1981Minister for the EnvironmentRay Burke1980–1981Changes 16 December 1980 Appointment of Michael O'Kennedy as European Commissioner.Office NameTermMinister for FinanceGene Fitzgerald1980–1981Minister for LabourTom Nolan1980–1981 Notes
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.
NameDepartment(s)Seán MooreTaoiseach (Government Chief Whip)DefenceJackie FaheyEnvironmentJim TunneyEducationThomas HusseyAgricultureRay BurkeIndustry, Commerce and TourismLorcan AllenAgricultureGer ConnollyEnvironmentTom McEllistrimFinanceSeán CallearyPublic ServiceLabourMark Killilea JnrPosts and TelegraphsChanges 25 March 1980 The number of Ministers of State was increased from 10 to 15 following the enactment of theMinisters and Secretaries (No.2) Act 1980.Name Department(s)Thomas MeaneyIndustry, Commerce and TourismTom NolanHealthSocial WelfareBrendan DalyLabourPádraig FlynnTransportSeán DohertyJusticeChanges 15 October 1980 Following the appointment of Ray Burke to cabinet.Name Department(s)Denis GallagherIndustry, Commerce and TourismChanges 17 December 1980 Following the appointment of Tom Nolan to cabinet.Name Department(s)Thomas HusseyHealthSocial WelfareMichael SmithAgriculture
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