There were three governments of the 33rd Dáil, being coalition governments of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. This followed the 2020 general election to Dáil Éireann held on 8 February, and negotiations on a programme for government that lasted till June. The parties agreed on a rotation, with the two major party leaders alternating as Taoiseach. The makeup of the parties resulted in a centre-right coalition. It was the first time that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have participated in the same government, which Leo Varadkar described as the end of what has often been referred to as Civil War politics.
The 32nd government of Ireland (27 June 2020 to 17 December 2022) was led by Micheál Martin, leader of Fianna Fáil, as Taoiseach, and Leo Varadkar, leader of Fine Gael, as Tánaiste. It was in office for and ended as planned with the rotation of the office of Taoiseach.
The 33rd government of Ireland (17 December 2022 to 9 April 2024) was led by Varadkar as Taoiseach and Martin as Tánaiste. It lasted . Varadkar resigned as leader of Fine Gael on 20 March 2024 and was succeeded on 24 March by Simon Harris. Varadkar resigned as Taoiseach on 8 April.
The 34th government of Ireland (9 April 2024 to 23 January 2025) was led by Simon Harris as Taoiseach and Martin as Tánaiste. It lasted . Harris resigned as Taoiseach on 18 December 2024 on the morning of the first meeting of the 34th Dáil after the 2024 general election. Harris and the other members of the government continued to carry out their duties until the appointment of their successors on 23 January 2025.
32nd government of Ireland
Nomination of Taoiseach The 33rd Dáil first met on 20 February 2020. Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Micheál Martin, Fianna Fáil leader, Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin leader, and Eamon Ryan, Green Party leader, were each proposed for nomination as Taoiseach. None of the four motions were successful. Varadkar announced that he would resign as Taoiseach but that under the provisions of Article 28.11 of the Constitution, the members of the government would continue to carry out their duties until their successors were appointed.Constitution of Ireland, Article 28.11.
On 27 June, the Dáil again debated nominations for the position of Taoiseach. The nomination of Martin was approved by the Dáil. Martin was then appointed as Taoiseach by President Michael D. Higgins.
27 June 2020Nomination of Micheál Martin (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Norma Foley and seconded by James O'ConnorAbsolute majority: 81/160 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fianna Fáil (37), Fine Gael (35), Green Party (12), Independents (9) No Sinn Féin (37), Independents (7), Labour Party (6), Social Democrats (6), Solidarity–People Before Profit (5), Aontú (1), Right to Change (1) Abstain Independents (3) Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1)
Government ministers After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Micheál Martin proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.
OfficeNameTermPartyTaoiseachMicheál Martin2020–2022 TánaisteLeo Varadkar Minister for Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentMinister for the Environment, Climate and CommunicationsEamon Ryan Minister for TransportMinister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaCatherine Martin Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and YouthRoderic O'Gorman Minister for FinancePaschal Donohoe Minister for Foreign AffairsSimon Coveney Minister for DefenceMinister for JusticeHelen McEntee Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and ScienceSimon Harris Minister for Rural and Community DevelopmentHeather Humphreys Minister for Social ProtectionMinister for EducationNorma Foley Minister for Housing, Local Government and HeritageDarragh O'Brien Minister for Agriculture, Food and the MarineBarry Cowen2020 Minister for Public Expenditure and ReformMichael McGrath2020–2022 Minister for HealthStephen Donnelly Changes 15 July 2020 Following the sacking of Barry Cowen on 14 July 2020.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Agriculture, Food and the MarineDara Calleary2020 Changes 2 September 2020 Following the resignation of Dara Calleary on 21 August 2020.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Agriculture, Food and the MarineCharlie McConalogue2020–2022 Change 27 April 2021 Temporary appointment during first maternity leave of Helen McEntee.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for JusticeHeather HumphreysApr. to Nov. 2021 Minister without portfolioHelen McEntee Change 1 November 2021 Return of Helen McEntee from first maternity leaveOfficeNameTermPartyMinister for JusticeHelen McEntee2021–2022 Change 25 November 2022 Temporary appointment during the second maternity leave of Helen McEnteeOfficeNameTermPartyMinister for JusticeHeather HumphreysNov.–Dec. 2022 Minister without portfolioHelen McEntee
Attorney General Paul Gallagher SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach, a role he had previously served in from 2007 to 2011.
Ministers of state
On 27 June 2020, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Dara Calleary, TD, Hildegarde Naughton, TD, and Sen. Pippa Hackett as ministers of state attending at cabinet without a vote. Pippa Hackett is the first senator to have been appointed as a Minister of State. On 1 July, the government appointed seventeen further ministers of state on the nomination of the Taoiseach. NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyDara CallearyTaoiseachCulture, Heritage and the GaeltachtTransport, Tourism and SportGovernment Chief WhipGaeltacht and Sport Hildegarde NaughtonTransport; Environment, Climate and CommunicationsInternational and Road Transportand Logistics, Postal Policy and Eircodes Pippa HackettAgriculture, Food and the MarineLand Use and Biodiversity Thomas ByrneTaoiseachForeign AffairsEuropean Affairs Patrick O'DonovanPublic Expenditure and ReformOffice of Public Works Ossian SmythPublic Expenditure and ReformEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsPublic Procurement and eGovernmentCommunications and the Circular Economy Jack ChambersFinanceFinancial Services, Credit Unionsand Insurance Josepha MadiganEducation; Special Education and Inclusion Martin HeydonAgriculture, Food and the MarineResearch & Development, Farm Safetyand New Market Development Anne RabbitteChildren, Equality, Disability,Integration and YouthHealthDisability Colm BrophyForeign AffairsOverseas Development Aid and Diaspora Charlie McConalogueJusticeLaw Reform Niall CollinsFurther and Higher Education, Research,Innovation and ScienceSkills and Further Education Joe O'BrienRural and Community DevelopmentSocial ProtectionCommunity Development and Charities Peter BurkeHousing, Local Government and HeritageLocal Government and Planning Malcolm NoonanHousing, Local Government and HeritageNature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Robert TroyEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentTrade Promotion Damien EnglishEnterprise, Trade and Employment; Social ProtectionEmployment Affairs and Retail Businesses Mary ButlerHealthMental Health and Older People Frank FeighanHealthPublic Health, Well Beingand National Drugs Strategy Changes 15 July 2020 Following the appointment of Dara Calleary to government.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyJack ChambersTaoiseachTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht,Sport and Media; Government Chief WhipGaeltacht and Sport Seán FlemingFinanceFinancial Services, Credit Unionsand Insurance Changes 2 September 2020 Following the appointment of Charlie McConalogue to government.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyJames BrowneJustice; ; Law Reform Change 17 November 2020 Additional assignment.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyJack ChambersDefenceDefence Change 27 April 2021 Additional assignments during the maternity leave of Helen McEntee, expired on 1 November 2021.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyHildegarde NaughtonJusticeCriminal justice James BrowneJusticeCivil justice and immigration Change 31 August 2022 Following the resignation of Robert Troy on 24 August 2022.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyDara CallearyEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentTrade Promotion, Digitaland Company Regulation
Events affecting the government Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Barry Cowen was sacked on 14 July 2020 because of driving offences which he had committed but not disclosed to Micheál Martin prior to his appointment to cabinet. He was replaced by Dara Calleary.
Legislation was passed to allow each of three Ministers of State who attend cabinet meetings to receive an allowance, as previous legislation had provided an allowance for two only. After public dissatisfaction with the proposal, the three ministers of state agreed on 28 July 2020 to share the existing allowance between them, rather than accept the increase.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dara Calleary resigned on 21 August 2020 after the fallout from the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal. Phil Hogan resigned as European Commissioner for Trade on 26 August 2020 in response to the same events.
In October 2020, Village magazine published a claim that Leo Varadkar had provided a copy of a confidential document to the head of the National Association of General Practitioners that had been part of negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation in April 2019 while Taoiseach. Fine Gael issued a statement which described the article as "both inaccurate and grossly defamatory", and while accepting that the provision of the agreement by private channels was "not best practice", said there was nothing unlawful about what had occurred. Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no confidence in the Tánaiste. In response, the Taoiseach moved a motion of confidence.
At a cabinet meeting in July 2021, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney announced the appointment of Katherine Zappone, former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, to the newly created position of Special Envoy to the UN for Freedom of Opinion and Expression. It emerged that the proposed appointment had not been flagged by Coveney with the Taoiseach in advance of the meeting. Zappone declined the appointment after the Merrion Hotel controversy arose, in which the Irish Independent reported that six days prior to the announcement of her appointment, Zappone had hosted a gathering for 50 guests, including Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, at the Merrion Hotel while the COVID-19 pandemic was ongoing. Comparisons were made between the gathering and the Golfgate scandal earlier in the pandemic. Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no confidence in Coveney, to be debated on 15 September on the return of the Dáil from the summer recess. In response, the Taoiseach moved a motion of confidence.
On 6 July 2022, the government lost its majority after Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh voted against legislation underpinning a €2.7 billion mica redress scheme and subsequently resigned the Fine Gael party whip. Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no confidence in the government, to be debated on 12 July before the summer recess. In response, the Taoiseach moved a motion of confidence.
On 24 August 2022, Robert Troy resigned as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment after his failure to declare property interest was revealed by The Ditch. He was succeeded by former Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary.
In December 2022, People Before Profit–Solidarity tabled a motion of no confidence in Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien, to be debated on 13 December, four days before a new government was formed. The group claimed the worsening housing and homelessness crisis under O'Brien was "tearing apart the social fabric of Irish society and leading to the scapegoating of refugees". In response, the Taoiseach moved a motion of confidence.
Budgets The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, delivered the following budgets: