Government of the 29th Dáil


The Government of the 29th Dáil or the 26th Government of Ireland was the government of Ireland formed after the 2002 general election which had been held on 17 May 2002. It was led by Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach, with Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney as Tánaiste. It was the first, and to date only, coalition government to be returned to government after an election; both parties increased their number of seats, and together secured a Dáil majority, where in the previous government they had governed together as a minority government dependent on the support of Independent TDs.
The 26th Government lasted for 1834 days.

26th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of the 29th Dáil first met on 6 June. In the debate on the nomination of Taoisech, outgoing Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Labour Party leader Ruairi Quinn, and Green Party leader Trevor Sargent were each proposed. Ahern received the nomination of the Dáil. Ahern was then re-appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary McAleese.

Members of the Government

After his appointment as Taoiseach 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 29 September 2004

Following the nomination of Charlie McCreevy as European Commissioner and the retirement of Michael Smith and Joe Walsh.
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Changes 13 September 2006

Following the resignation of Mary Harney as leader of the Progressive Democrats and the election of Michael McDowell.
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Attorney General

was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of State

On 6 June 2002, the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Mary Hanafin to the post of Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and Dick Roche, the position of Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for European Affairs. On 18 June, the Taoiseach announced that the Government had appointed with effect from 19 June the other 15 Ministers of State and that the Government had also appointed Mary Hanafin to be Minister of State at the Department of Defence.

Changes 29 September 2004

Following cabinet reshuffle.
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Changes 14 February 2006

Following the resignation of Ivor Callely on 8 December 2005.
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Changes 12 December 2006

Following the resignation of Síle de Valera on 8 December 2006.
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Dissolution

On 29 April 2007, the president dissolved the Dáil on the advice of the Taoiseach, and a general election was held on 24 May. The members of the 30th Dáil met on 14 June and Bertie Ahern was re-appointed as Taoiseach and formed a new government.