# Government of the 21st Dáil

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 2 years, 159 days. The 16th government of Ireland (11 December 1979 – 30 June 1981) was led by Charles Haughey and lasted for 1 year, 201 days.

## 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 1977 Nomination of Jack Lynch (FF) as Taoiseach Motion proposed by Vivion de Valera and seconded by Kit Ahern Absolute majority: 75/148 :
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
| Y Yes | Fianna Fáil (82) | 82 / 148 |
| No | Fine Gael (43), Labour Party (16), Independent (2) | 61 / 148 |
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1), Labour Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1) | 5 / 148 |

### 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 | Name | Term |
| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch | 1977–1979 |
| Tánaiste | George Colley | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Finance | George Colley | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for the Public Service | George Colley | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Agriculture | Jim Gibbons | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Defence | Bobby Molloy | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Economic Planning and Development | Martin O'Donoghue | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Education | John Wilson | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for the Environment | Sylvester Barrett | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Fisheries | Brian Lenihan | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | Michael O'Kennedy | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for the Gaeltacht | Denis Gallagher | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Health | Charles Haughey | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Social Welfare | Charles Haughey | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy | Desmond O'Malley | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Justice | Gerry Collins | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Labour | Gene Fitzgerald | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Posts and Telegraphs | Pádraig Faulkner | 1977–1979 |
| Minister for Tourism and Transport | Pádraig Faulkner | 1977–1979 |

#### Notes

* ↑ The Department of Economic Planning and Development was established by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1977 which was commenced on 13 December 1977. O'Donoghue was a member of the government as a minister without portfolio until that date.
* ↑ The Department of Local Government was renamed as the Department of the Environment on 17 August 1977.
* ↑ The Department of Fisheries was renamed as the Department of Fisheries and Forestry on 15 July 1978.
* ↑ The Department of Industry and Commerce was renamed as the Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy on 23 September 1977.
* ↑ The Department of Transport and Power was renamed as the Department of Tourism and Transport on 23 September 1977.

### 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 | Office |
| Patrick Lalor | Government Chief Whip |
| Patrick Lalor | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence |
| David Andrews | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs |
| Jim Tunney | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education |
| Tom Fitzpatrick | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs |
| Tom Fitzpatrick | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism and Transport |
| Pearse Wyse | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance |
| Thomas Hussey | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture |
| Máire Geoghegan-Quinn | Parliamentary 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 | Name | Department(s) |
| | Patrick Lalor | Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) |
| | Patrick Lalor | Defence |
| | David Andrews | Foreign Affairs |
| | Jim Tunney | Education |
| | Tom Fitzpatrick | Posts and Telegraphs |
| | Tom Fitzpatrick | Tourism and Transport |
| | Pearse Wyse | Finance |
| | Thomas Hussey | Agriculture |
| | Máire Geoghegan-Quinn | Industry, Commerce and Energy |
| | John O'Leary | Environment |
| | Ray MacSharry | Public Service |
| | Ray Burke | Industry, Commerce and Energy |
| Changes 1 January 1979 David Andrews was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Justice in addition to his existing post. |||
| Changes 1 July 1979 Changes following the election of Patrick Lalor to the European Parliament. |||
| Name | Name | Department(s) |
| | Michael Woods | Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) |
| | Michael Woods | 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 1979 Nomination of Charles Haughey (FF) as Taoiseach Motion proposed by Jack Lynch Absolute majority: 75/148 :
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
| Y Yes | Fianna Fáil (82) | 82 / 148 |
| No | Fine Gael (44), Labour Party (17), Independent (1) | 62 / 148 |
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1), Fine Gael (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Independent (1) | 4 / 148 |

### 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 | Name | Name | Term |
| Taoiseach | | Charles Haughey | 1979–1981 |
| Tánaiste | | George Colley | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Tourism and Transport | | George Colley | 1979–1980 |
| Minister for Agriculture | | Ray MacSharry | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Defence | | Pádraig Faulkner | 1979–1980 |
| Minister for Economic Planning and Development | | Michael O'Kennedy | 1979–1980 |
| Minister for Finance | | Michael O'Kennedy | 1979–1980 |
| Minister for the Public Service | | Michael O'Kennedy | 1979–1980 |
| Minister for Education | | John Wilson | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for the Environment | | Sylvester Barrett | 1979–1980 |
| Minister for Fisheries and Forestry | | Paddy Power | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | | Brian Lenihan | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for the Gaeltacht | | Máire Geoghegan-Quinn | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Health | | Michael Woods | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Social Welfare | | Michael Woods | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy | | Desmond O'Malley | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Justice | | Gerry Collins | 1979–1981 |
| Minister for Labour | | Gene Fitzgerald | 1979–1980 |
| Minister for Posts and Telegraphs | | Albert Reynolds | 1979–1981 |
| Changes 22 January 1980 ||||
| Office | Name | Name | Term |
| Minister for Energy | | George Colley | 1980–1981 |
| Changes 25 January 1980 Changes made to ministerial roles. ||||
| Office | Name | Name | Term |
| Minister for Transport | | Albert Reynolds | 1980–1981 |
| Changes 24 March 1980 Changes made to ministerial roles. ||||
| Office | Name | Name | Term |
| Minister for the Public Service | | Gene Fitzgerald | 1980–1981 |
| Changes 15 October 1980 Election of Pádraig Faulkner as Ceann Comhairle. ||||
| Office | Name | Name | Term |
| Minister for Defence | | Sylvester Barrett | 1980–1981 |
| Minister for the Environment | | Ray Burke | 1980–1981 |
| Changes 16 December 1980 Appointment of Michael O'Kennedy as European Commissioner. ||||
| Office | Name | Name | Term |
| Minister for Finance | | Gene Fitzgerald | 1980–1981 |
| Minister for Labour | | Tom Nolan | 1980–1981 |

#### Notes

* 1 2 The Department of Tourism and Transport was renamed as the Department of Transport on 25 January 1980.
* ↑ The functions of the Department of Economic Planning were transferred to the Department of Finance on 1 January 1980.
* 1 2 The Department of Economic Planning and Development was renamed as the Department of Energy on 21 January 1980.
* ↑ The Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy was renamed as the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism on 23 January 1980.
* ↑ Held in addition to the Posts and Telegraphs portfolio.
* ↑ Held in addition to the Labour portfolio.
* ↑ Held in addition to the Public Service portfolio.

### 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.
| Name | Name | Department(s) |
| | Seán Moore | Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) Defence |
| | Jackie Fahey | Environment |
| | Jim Tunney | Education |
| | Thomas Hussey | Agriculture |
| | Ray Burke | Industry, Commerce and Tourism |
| | Lorcan Allen | Agriculture |
| | Ger Connolly | Environment |
| | Tom McEllistrim | Finance |
| | Seán Calleary | Public Service Labour |
| | Mark Killilea Jnr | Posts and Telegraphs |
| Changes 25 March 1980 The number of Ministers of State was increased from 10 to 15 following the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (No.2) Act 1980. |||
| Name | Name | Department(s) |
| | Thomas Meaney | Industry, Commerce and Tourism |
| | Tom Nolan | Health Social Welfare |
| | Brendan Daly | Labour |
| | Pádraig Flynn | Transport |
| | Seán Doherty | Justice |
| Changes 15 October 1980 Following the appointment of Ray Burke to cabinet. |||
| Name | Name | Department(s) |
| | Denis Gallagher | Industry, Commerce and Tourism |
| Changes 17 December 1980 Following the appointment of Tom Nolan to cabinet. |||
| Name | Name | Department(s) |
| | Thomas Hussey | Health Social Welfare |
| | Michael Smith | Agriculture |