Government of the 28th Dáil


The Government of the 29th Dáil or the 25th Government of Ireland was the government of Ireland formed after the 1997 general election which had been held on 6 June 1997. It was a minority coalition government of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, led by Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach.
The 25th Government lasted 1,806 days.

25th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of the 28th Dáil first met on 26 June 1997. In the debate on the nomination of Taoisech, both outgoing Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader John Bruton and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern were proposed. The vote on Bruton was defeated with 75 votes in favour to 87 against, while the vote on Ahern was approved by 85 to 78. Ahern was then appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary Robinson.

Members of the Government

After his appointment by the president, Bertie Ahern proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.

Changes 8 October 1997

Following the resignation of Ray Burke after allegations of corrupt payments under investigation by the Flood Tribunal.
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Changes 27 January 2000

Following the retirement from government of David Andrews.
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Attorney General

was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. In 1999, he resigned on his nomination as European Commissioner. On 17 July 1999, Michael McDowell SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of State

On 26 June 1997, the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Séamus Brennan to the post of Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and Bobby Molloy to the position of Minister of State to the Government. On 1 July, the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Michael Smith and Liz O'Donnell and On 8 July, the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed the other Ministers of State.

Changes 9 October 1997

is appointed Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science and Minister of State at the
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, following the appointment of Michael Smith to the position of Minister
for Defence on the previous day.

Changes 21 January 1998

is appointed to the position of Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science and
Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. He retained his existing post as Minister of State
at the Department of Health and Children.

Changes 1 February 2000

Changes following the resignation of Chris Flood and the appointment of Frank Fahey as Minister for the Marine and
Natural Resources.
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Changes 19 February 2001

Changes following the resignation of Ned O'Keeffe on 17 February.
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Changes 11 April 2002

was appointed Minister of State to the Government in addition to her existing post as Minister of State at
the Department of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Bobby Molloy two days earlier. She did not take over
Molloy's post at the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

Dissolution

On 25 April 2002, the president dissolved the Dáil on the advice of the Taoiseach, and a general election was held on 17 May. The members of the 29th Dáil met on 6 June and Bertie Ahern was re-appointed as Taoiseach and formed a new government.