The 13th government of Ireland (2 July 1969 – 14 March 1973) was the government of Ireland formed after the 1969 general election to the 19th Dáil held on 18 June 1969. It was formed by Fianna Fáil, which had been in office since the 1957 general election. This was the first election it won with Jack Lynch as its leader. It lasted for .
Nomination of Taoiseach The 19th Dáil first met on 2 July 1969. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Jack Lynch, the Fine Gael leader Liam Cosgrave, and the Labour Party leader Brendan Corish were each proposed. The nomination of Lynch was carried with 74 votes in favour to 66 against. Lynch was re-appointed as Taoiseach by President Éamon de Valera.
2 July 1969Nomination of Jack Lynch (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Frank Aiken and seconded by Johnny GeogheganAbsolute majority: 73/144VotePartiesVotes Yes Fianna Fáil (73), Independent (1) No Fine Gael (49), Labour Party (17) Absent or<br/ >Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1), Fine Gael (1) Vacancy 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 Lynch1969–1973TánaisteErskine H. Childers1969–1973Minister for HealthMinister for AgricultureNeil Blaney1969–1970Minister for DefenceJim Gibbons1969–1970Minister for EducationPádraig Faulkner1969–1973Minister for FinanceCharles Haughey1969–1970Minister for External AffairsPatrick Hillery1969–1973Minister for the GaeltachtGeorge Colley1969–1973Minister for Industry and Commerce1969–1970Minister for JusticeMícheál Ó Móráin1969–1970Minister for LabourJoseph Brennan1969–1973Minister for LandsSeán Flanagan1969–1973Minister for Local GovernmentKevin Boland1969–1970Minister for Social WelfareMinister for Posts and TelegraphsPatrick Lalor1969–1973Minister for Transport and PowerBrian Lenihan1969–1973Change 7 May 1970 Mícheál Ó Móráin was in hospital and was asked to resign on 4 May 1970.; Office NameTermMinister for JusticeDesmond O'Malley1970–1973Changes 9 May 1970 Due to the Arms Crisis, Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney were dismissed on 6 May 1970 when they refused to resign. Kevin Boland resigned from the government.Office NameTermMinister for AgricultureJim Gibbons1970–1973Minister for DefenceJerry Cronin1970–1973Minister for FinanceGeorge Colley1970–1973Minister for Industry and CommercePatrick Lalor1970–1973Minister for Local GovernmentBobby Molloy1970–1973Minister for Posts and TelegraphsGerry Collins1970–1973Minister for Social WelfareJoseph Brennan1970–1973Changes 3 January 1973 Michael O'Kennedy was appointed to government on 14 December 1972.In January 1973 Patrick Hillery was appointed as Irelands's first European Commissioner.Office NameTermMinister for Foreign AffairsBrian Lenihan1973Minister for Transport and PowerMichael O'Kennedy1973 Note
Parliamentary Secretaries On 9 July 1969, the Taoiseach announced the appointment by the Government of the Parliamentary Secretaries on his nomination. NameOfficeDesmond O'MalleyGovernment Chief WhipParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for DefencePaudge BrennanParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local GovernmentJohnny GeogheganParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social WelfareNoel LemassParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for FinanceJerry CroninParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and FisheriesBobby MolloyParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for EducationGerry CollinsParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and CommerceParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the GaeltachtChanges 8 May 1970 Following the appointment of Desmond O'Malley to government.NameOfficeDavid AndrewsGovernment Chief WhipParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for DefenceChanges 9 May 1970 Following the resignation of Paudge Brennan on 8 May and the appointment of Jerry Cronin, Bobby Molloy and Gerry Collins to government on 9 May.NameOfficeLiam CunninghamParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government; Jackie FaheyParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and FisheriesMichael F. KittParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the GaeltachtMichael O'KennedyParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for EducationChanges 3 January 1973 Following the appointment of Michael O'Kennedy to government.NameOfficeJim TunneyParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education
Arms Crisis
Following the dismissal of ministers, a motion of confidence in the government was proposed by Jack Lynch.; ; It was approved on a vote of 72 to 64.
After the trial, Lynch placed a further motion of confidence in the government, in response to an opposition motion. This was approved on a vote of 74 to 67.
Foreign affairs The government signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community on 22 January 1972. After a referendum held on 10 May, a constitutional amendment allowing Ireland to become a member of the European Communities was approved with the support of 83.1% of votes cast. Ireland, Denmark and the United Kingdom became members of the EEC on 1 January 1973.
References
External links Government of Ireland: History of Government: Nineteenth Dáil