Government of the 24th Dáil


The Government of the 24th Dáil or the 19th Government of Ireland was the government of Ireland formed after the November 1982 general election. It was a coalition government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party led by Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach.
The 19th Government lasted for 1,547 days.

19th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of the 24th Dáil first met on 14 December 1982. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, the Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Charles Haughey, and Fine Gael leader Garret FitzGerald were both proposed. The nomination of Haughey was defeated with 77 votes in favour to 88 against, while the nomination of FitzGerald was carried with 85 in favour and 79 against. FitzGerald was then appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.

Members of the Government

After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Garret FitzGerald proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.

Changes 13 December 1983

Reshuffle on the resignation of Frank Cluskey.
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Changes 2 January 1984

On the abolition of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and the Department of Transport
and the establishment of the Department of Communications.
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Changes 14 February 1986

Reshuffle.
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Changes 20 January 1987

On 20 January 1987 the Labour Party ministers Dick Spring, Barry Desmond, Liam Kavanagh and
Ruairi Quinn resigned from the government. No new members joined the Cabinet and their portfolios
were redistributed as follows.
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Attorney General

On 14 December 1982, Peter Sutherland SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. He resigned as Attorney General on 12 December 1984 on his nomination as European Commissioner. On 13 December 1984, John Rogers SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of State

On 14 December 1982, the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Seán Barrett to the post of Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip. On 16 December 1982, the Government appointed the other Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Changes 7 January 1983

was appointed Minister of State for Family Law Reform at the Department of Justice in addition to her existing post.

Changes 18 February 1983

was appointed Minister of State for Broadcasting at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs in addition to his existing post.

Changes 15 December 1983

Changes in ministerial roles.
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Changes 2 January 1984

was appointed Minister of State for Radio and Television at the Department of Communications.

Changes 13 February 1986

Ministerial reshuffle.
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Changes 18 February 1986

and Michael D'Arcy are removed from office following their refusal to resign in order to facilitate a reshuffle.

Changes 23 September 1986

Changes following the dismissal of Edward Collins.
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Changes 20 January 1987

On 20 January 1987 the Labour Party ministers of State resigned their positions.

Events during the government

The government resorted to high marginal tax rates to curb the national debt, which had increased when spending commitments accrued under the 1977–81 government's expansion of the public sector became unsustainable after the 1979 energy crisis. High taxes and high unemployment brought a return to high net emigration, a long-established Irish flow which had temporarily reversed in the 1970s. An economic policy document, "Building on reality", was published in 1984.
The "republican crusade" flagged by Garret Fitzgerald in 1981 saw some changes in policy on Northern Ireland and social issues. The government's New Ireland Forum was a prelude to the Anglo-Irish Agreement signed in 1985. A referendum to ease the ban on divorce was defeated in 1986, while a bill to ease restrictions on contraception, was passed in 1985. The failure of Desmond O'Malley to vote against this legislation led to his expulsion from Fianna Fáil. O'Malley later established the Progressive Democrats in December 1985.