Government of the 23rd Dáil


The Government of the 23rd Dáil or the 18th Government of Ireland was the government of Ireland formed after the February 1982 general election. It was a minority Fianna Fáil government, reliant on the support of the Sinn Féin - The Workers' Party and Independent TD Tony Gregory, led by Charles Haughey as Taoiseach.
The 18th Government lasted for 280 days.

18th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of the 23rd Dáil first met on 9 March 1982. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey, and Fine Gael leader and outgoing Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald were both proposed. The nomination of Haughey was carried with 86 in favour and 79 against. Haughey was then appointed as Taoiseach by president Patrick Hillery.

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. They were appointed by the president on the same day.

Changes 7 October 1982

Desmond O'Malley and Martin O'Donoghue resigned on 6 October 1982 after
supporting an unsuccessful leadership challenge against Charles Haughey.
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Changes 27 October 1982

Reshuffle following resignations of O'Malley and O'Donoghue.
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Attorney General

On 9 March 1982, Patrick Connolly SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. Connolly resigned on 17 August after Malcolm MacArthur, who had been a house-guest of Connolly's, was arrested for murder. On 18 August 1982, John L. Murray SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of State

On 9 March, the Government appointed Bertie Ahern on the nomination of the Taoiseach to the post of Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip. On 23 March, the Government appointed the other Ministers of State.

Changes 28 October 1982

Reshuffle following resignations of O'Malley and O'Donoghue from cabinet.
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Confidence in the Government

On 4 November 1982, the Dáil voted on a motion of confidence the Taoiseach placed in the government. The resolution was defeated, with 80 votes in favour to 82 against. After the vote, Haughey sought a dissolution of the Dáil, which was granted by the president. A second general election was held on 24 November 1982 for the members of the 24th Dáil.

Footnotes