Government of the 26th Dáil
The 26th Dáil of Ireland was elected at the 1989 general election on 15 June 1989 and (after initially failing to elect a Taoiseach when it first met on 29 June[1]) eventually re-elected Charles Haughey on 12 July when the 21st Government of Ireland was appointed. The 26th Dáil lasted 1,259 days.
21st Government of Ireland
| Government of the 26th Dáil | |
|---|---|
| 21st Government of Ireland | |
| Date formed | 12 July 1989 |
| Date dissolved | 11 February 1992 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state |
Patrick Hillery (1989–90) Mary Robinson (1990–92) |
| Head of government | Charles Haughey |
| Deputy head of government |
Brian Lenihan Snr (1989–90) John Wilson (1990–92) |
| Total no. of ministers | 15 |
| Member parties |
Fianna Fáil Progressive Democrats |
| Status in legislature | Coalition |
| Opposition leader |
Alan Dukes (1989–90) (FG) John Bruton (1990–92) (FG) |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 1989 general election |
| Legislature term(s) | 26th Dáil |
| Predecessor | 20th Government |
| Successor | 22nd Government |
The 21st Government of Ireland (12 July 1989 – 11 February 1992) was formed by the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats parties.[2] After the 1989 general election Fianna Fáil lost four seats, and Charles Haughey failed to achieve a majority when a vote for Taoiseach was taken in the Dáil on June 29, 1989.[1] 27 days after the election had taken place the coalition government was formed. From January to June 1990 Ireland held the presidency of the European Community. The 1990 Presidential election was held on 7 November. Mary Robinson won the election, beating the Fianna Fáil candidate Brian Lenihan.
On 6 November 1991, Seán Power made a motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach, which failed.[3]
In early 1992 Seán Doherty, who as Minister for Justice had taken the blame for the phone-tapping scandal of the early 1980s, went on RTÉ and claimed that Haughey had known and authorised it. Haughey denied this but the Progressive Democrats stated that they could no longer continue in government with Haughey as Taoiseach.[4]
On 30 January 1992, Haughey resigned as leader of Fianna Fáil. He was succeeded by Albert Reynolds who formed the 22nd Government of Ireland.
22nd Government of Ireland
| Government of the 26th Dáil | |
|---|---|
| 22nd Government of Ireland | |
| Date formed | 11 February 1992 |
| Date dissolved | 12 January 1993 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Mary Robinson |
| Head of government | Albert Reynolds |
| Deputy head of government | John Wilson |
| Total no. of ministers | 15 |
| Member parties |
Fianna Fáil Progressive Democrats |
| Status in legislature | Coalition |
| Opposition leader | John Bruton (Fine Gael) |
| History | |
| Legislature term(s) | 26th Dáil |
| Predecessor | 21st Government |
| Successor | 23rd Government |
The 22nd Government of Ireland (11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993) was formed by the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats parties with Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach following the resignation of Charles Haughey.[2] Reynolds did not re-appoint Ray Burke, Mary O'Rourke and Gerry Collins, while promoting critics of Haughey like David Andrews, Séamus Brennan, and Charlie McCreevy into senior ministerial positions. Reynolds also promoted a number of younger TDs from rural constituencies like Noel Dempsey and Brian Cowen, to cabinet position. Bertie Ahern remained as Minister for Finance.
The 22nd Government responded to X Case with a referendum that would have amended the Constitution to prevent a risk of suicide as a ground for an abortion. This proposal was defeated.
A tribunal of enquiry into irregularities in the beef industry, referred to as the Beef Tribunal, was established to examine the relationship between the Irish governments and the beef industry. However this revealed to the public a substantial conflict of opinion between the two party leaders. At the tribunal Desmond O'Malley severely criticised Reynolds, in his capacity as Minister for Industry and Commerce, for an export credit scheme. When Reynolds gave evidence he referred to O'Malley as "dishonest", the Progressive Democrats voted with a motion of no confidence and the government fell.
After the 1992 general election, the 23rd Government of Ireland was formed by a coalition between Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party.
See also
References
- 1 2 Stephen O'Byrnes (27 February 2016). "1989 a road map for Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil deal". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- 1 2 "History of Government – Twenty-Sixth Dáil". Department of the Taoiseach. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ↑ "The motion failed". The Irish Emigrant. 11 November 1991.
- ↑ "Ireland's Haughey will resign to avert fall of coalition over wiretapping charges". The Baltimore Sun. 31 January 1992.
- 1 2 3 Brian Lenihan was sacked from the cabinet on 31 October during the 1990 Presidential election.
- 1 2 3 On 7 February 1991, the functions of the Minister for Communications were passed to the retitled Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications and the Department of Communications ceased to exist.
- 1 2 3 4 Albert Reynolds and Pádraig Flynn were both sacked in November 1991 after Reynolds challenged Charles Haughey for the leadership of Fianna Fáil.
- 1 2 3 4 On 4 November 1992 Desmond O'Malley resigned as Minister for Industry and Commerce and Bobby Molloy resigned as Minister for Energy after the Progressive Democrats left the government.