The 23rd government of Ireland (12 January 1993 – 15 December 1994) was the government formed following the 1992 general election to the 27th Dáil held on 25 November 1992. It was a coalition of Fianna Fáil, with leader Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach, and the Labour Party, with leader Dick Spring as Tánaiste. It was the first time that these two parties were in government together; on each previous occasion Labour was in government, it was a junior coalition party with Fine Gael. The government lasted for from its appointment until its resignation on 17 November 1994, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 28 days until the appointment of its successor, giving a total of .
The 27th Dáil lasted until 1997, but the first government fell in 1994 after the breakdown of relations between the two parties. It was succeeded in December 1994 by the 24th government, a coalition of Fine Gael, with leader John Bruton as Taoiseach, Labour, with Dick Spring serving again as Tánaiste, and Democratic Left, led by Proinsias De Rossa. This was the only time a government with a new coalition of parties was formed within a single Dáil term.
Nomination of Taoiseach The 27th Dáil first met on 14 December 1992. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, Fine Gael leader John Bruton and Labour Party leader Dick Spring were each proposed. None of these proposals were passed by the Dáil: Reynolds received 68 votes in favour with 94 against, Bruton received 55 in favour to 107 against, and Spring received 39 in favour to 122 against. Reynolds resigned as Taoiseach and continued in a caretaker capacity.
On 12 January 1993, Albert Reynolds and John Bruton were again proposed for the nomination of the Dáil for the position of Taoiseach, and on this occasion, the nomination of Reynolds was successful by 102 votes to 60. Reynolds was appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary Robinson. 12 January 1993Nomination of Albert Reynolds (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and seconded by Dick SpringAbsolute majority: 84/166 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fianna Fáil (67), Labour Party (33), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent () No Fine Gael (44), Progressive Democrats (10), Democratic Left (4), Green Party (1), Independent () Absent or not voting Fine Gael (), Independent (), Ceann Comhairle (1) Vacant
Government ministers After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Albert Reynolds proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day. OfficeNameTermPartyTaoiseachAlbert Reynolds1993–1994 TánaisteDick Spring1993–1994Labour PartyMinister for Foreign AffairsMinister for FinanceBertie Ahern1993–1994 Minister for Social WelfareMichael Woods1993–1994 Minister for JusticeMáire Geoghegan-Quinn1993–1994 Minister for Enterprise and EmploymentRuairi Quinn1993–1994 Minister for the EnvironmentMichael Smith1993–1994 Minister for DefenceDavid Andrews1993–1994 Minister for the MarineMinister for Agriculture, Food and ForestryJoe Walsh1993–1994 Minister for Tourism and TradeCharlie McCreevy1993–1994 Minister for Transport, Energy and CommunicationsBrian Cowen1993–1994 Minister for Equality and Law ReformMervyn Taylor1993–1994 Minister for Arts, Culture and the GaeltachtMichael D. Higgins1993–1994 Minister for HealthBrendan Howlin1993–1994 Minister for EducationNiamh Bhreathnach1993–1994 Changes 17 November 1994 The Labour Party ministers resigned from government on 17 November 1994.Albert Reynolds resigned as Taoiseach and continued to serve in a caretaker capacity.Minister for Foreign AffairsAlbert Reynolds1994 TánaisteBertie Ahern1994 Minister for Arts, Culture and the GaeltachtMinister for HealthMichael Woods1994 Minister for Equality and Law ReformMáire Geoghegan-Quinn1994 Minister for EducationMichael Smith1994 Minister for Enterprise and EmploymentCharlie McCreevy1994 Notes
Attorney General On 12 January 1993 Harry Whelehan SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. He resigned as Attorney General on 11 November 1994 on his nomination as President of the High Court (a position he would serve in for only two days). On 11 November 1994, Eoghan Fitzsimons SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state Appointment on 12 January 1993 The government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Noel Dempsey as Government Chief Whip. He sat at cabinet in this role.Name Department(s)ResponsibilityPartyNoel DempseyTaoiseach; DefenceGovernment Chief Whip Appointments on 14 January 1993 On 14 January 1993, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed the other Ministers of State. This included an additional responsibility for Dempsey.Name Department(s)ResponsibilityPartyNoel DempseyFinanceOffice of Public Works Tom KittTaoiseachForeign AffairsEuropean Affairs andOverseas development assistance Noel TreacyTaoiseachFinanceTransport, Energy and CommunicationsEnergy Mary O'RourkeEnterprise and Employment; Labour affairs Séamus BrennanEnterprise and Employment; Commerce and technology Pat "the Cope" GallagherArts, Culture and the GaeltachtGaeltacht Eithne FitzGeraldFinanceOffice of the TánaisteNational Development Plan Liam AylwardEducationYouth and sport Liam HylandAgriculture, Food and ForestryForestry and rural development Brian O'SheaAgriculture, Food and ForestryFood and horticulture Willie O'DeaJusticeHealth; John BrowneEnvironmentEnvironmental protection Emmet StaggEnvironmentHousing and urban renewal Gerry O'SullivanMarinePort development, safety and inland fisheries Joan BurtonSocial WelfarePoverty, including EC Poverty Plans and the integration of the tax and social welfare codes Change on 15 June 1994 Resignation of Pat "the Cope" Gallagher as minister of state on his election to the European Parliament.Change on 5 August 1994 Death of Gerry O'Sullivan.Change on 17 November 1994 The ministers of state from the Labour Party resigned on 17 November 1994.
Confidence in the government After the sum of European Structural and Investment Funds allocated to Ireland was lower than previously announced, a motion of no confidence was proposed in the government. This was then debated on 28 October 1993 as a motion of confidence in the government, proposed by the Taoiseach.; It was approved by a vote of 94 to 55.
Resignation of government In November 1994, the Attorney General, Harry Whelehan was nominated by the government as President of the High Court. It emerged that he had failed to expedite the extradition of Fr Brendan Smyth to Northern Ireland for sexual offences committed against children. The appointment of Whelehan to the court despite this led to a motion of no confidence in the government. Reynolds responded on 16 November by proposing a motion reaffirming the confidence of the Dáil in the Taoiseach and the Government.
On the following day, 17 November, Labour withdrew from the government and Reynolds resigned as Taoiseach. The motion of confidence in the government was withdrawn. Reynolds and the Fianna Fáil ministers continued to carry on their duties until their successors were appointed on 15 December.
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