24th government of Ireland

Government of Ireland from December 1994 to June 1997

24th government of Ireland

Government of Ireland
Date formed| 15 December 1994
Date dissolved| 26 June 1997
People and organisations
President| Mary Robinson
Taoiseach| John Bruton
Tánaiste| Dick Spring
Total no. of members| 15
Member parties|

* Fine Gael
* Labour Party
* Democratic Left

Status in legislature| Coalition
Opposition party| Fianna Fáil
Opposition leader| Bertie Ahern
History
Legislature terms|

* 27th Dáil
* 20th Seanad

Incoming formation| 1994 Irish government crisis
Predecessor| 23rd government
Successor| 25th government

The 24th government of Ireland (15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997) was the government formed after the Labour Party had left its previous coalition with Fianna Fáil two years into the 27th Dáil. It was a coalition of Fine Gael, with leader John Bruton as Taoiseach, Labour, with Dick Spring as Tánaiste, and Democratic Left, led by Proinsias De Rossa, known as the Rainbow Coalition. It is the only time to date that a new government was formed within the same Dáil term composed of a different coalition of parties. The 24th government lasted 2 years, 193 days.

## Formation

[edit]

Main article: 1994 Irish government crisis

The Labour Party had been part of the 23rd Government with Fianna Fáil, formed in January 1993 after the 1992 general election, but left in November 1994 following a number of scandals, particularly those which emerged from the Beef Tribunal and the alleged mishandling of the extradition of paedophile priest Brendan Smyth.[1] After Albert Reynolds was replaced as Fianna Fáil leader by Bertie Ahern, there was speculation that Labour would rejoin Fianna Fáil in government, but instead it formed a government with two parties which had been in opposition. By-election gains since 1992 meant the three parties had enough TDs between them for an overall majority.

## Nomination of Taoiseach

[edit]

In the Dáil debate on the nomination for Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader John Bruton were proposed. Ahern was defeated by 67 votes to 94, while Bruton was approved.[2] Bruton was appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary Robinson.[3]

15 December 1994
Nomination of John Bruton (FG) as Taoiseach[4]
Motion proposed by Nora Owen and seconded by Paddy Harte
Absolute majority: 84/166

Vote  | Parties  | Votes
Y Yes | Fine Gael (47), Labour Party (32), Democratic Left (6) |

85 / 166

No | Fianna Fáil (65), Progressive Democrats (8), Independent (1) |

74 / 166

Absent or
Not voting | Independent (3), Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1), Green Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1) |

7 / 166

## Government ministers

[edit]

After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, John Bruton proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[3][5] They were appointed by the president on the same day.[6]

Office  | Name  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Taoiseach | John Bruton[a] | 1994–1997  |  | Fine Gael
Tánaiste | Dick Spring | 1994–1997  |  | Labour
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Finance | Ruairi Quinn | 1994–1997  |  | Labour
Minister for Health | Michael Noonan | 1994–1997  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for Equality and Law Reform | Mervyn Taylor | 1994–1997  |  | Labour
Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht | Michael D. Higgins | 1994–1997  |  | Labour
Minister for the Environment | Brendan Howlin | 1994–1997  |  | Labour
Minister for Education | Niamh Bhreathnach | 1994–1997  |  | Labour
Minister for Justice | Nora Owen | 1994–1997  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for Social Welfare | Proinsias De Rossa | 1994–1997  |  | Democratic Left
Minister for Tourism and Trade | Enda Kenny | 1994–1997  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for Enterprise and Employment | Richard Bruton | 1994–1997  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry | Ivan Yates | 1994–1997  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications | Michael Lowry | 1994–1996  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for Defence | Hugh Coveney | 1994–1995  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for the Marine

### Changes 23 May 1995

[edit]

Hugh Coveney was demoted to a Minister of State after allegations of improper contact with businessmen.[7][8]

Minister for Defence | Seán Barrett | 1995–1997  |  | Fine Gael
Minister for the Marine

### Changes 3 December 1996

[edit]

Michael Lowry resigned following reports of improper payments from businessman Ben Dunne.[9][10]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications | Alan Dukes | 1996–1997  |  | Fine Gael

1. ^ Bruton served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 30 November to 3 December 1996 after the resignation of Lowry.

## Attorney General

[edit]

Dermot Gleeson SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[3][6]

## Ministers of state

[edit]

### Appointments 15 December 1994

[edit]

Seán Barrett, TD was appointed by the government as Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip. Pat Rabbitte, TD was appointed as Minister of State to the Government. Both attended cabinet meetings without a vote.[3][11]

Name  | Department(s)  | Responsibility  | Party
Seán Barrett | Taoiseach[12]
Defence | Government Chief Whip  |  | Fine Gael
Pat Rabbitte | Minister of State to the Government
Enterprise and Employment[13] | Commerce, science and technology and consumer affairs  |  | Democratic Left

### Appointments 20 December 1994

[edit]

Appointment by the government of 13 further Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[6]

Name  | Department(s)  | Responsibility  | Party
Emmet Stagg | Transport, Energy and Communications[14] |  |  | Labour
Brian O'Shea | Health[15] | Mental handicap, health promotion, food safety and public health  |  | Labour
Eithne FitzGerald | Office of the Tánaiste
Enterprise and Employment[16] | Labour affairs  |  | Labour
Joan Burton | Foreign Affairs
Justice[17] | Overseas development assistance  |  | Labour
Toddy O'Sullivan | Tourism and Trade |  |  | Labour
Gay Mitchell | Taoiseach
Foreign Affairs | European affairs
IFSC and local development initiatives  |  | Fine Gael
Bernard Allen | Education
Environment | Youth and sport
Local government reform  |  | Fine Gael
Bernard Durkan | Social Welfare |  |  | Fine Gael
Jimmy Deenihan | Agriculture, Food and Forestry[18] |  |  | Fine Gael
Phil Hogan | Finance |  |  | Fine Gael
Austin Currie | Health[19]
Education
Justice[20] | Children  |  | Fine Gael
Eamon Gilmore | Marine[21] |  |  | Democratic Left
Liz McManus | Environment[22] |  |  | Democratic Left

### Appointments 27 January 1995

[edit]

Following the increase in the number of Ministers of State permitted from 15 to 17 in the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1995.[23]

Name  | Department(s)  | Responsibility  | Party
Avril Doyle | Taoiseach
Finance
Transport, Energy and Communications | Consumers of Public Services  |  | Fine Gael
Donal Carey | Taoiseach[24]
Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht | Western Development and Rural Renewal  |  | Fine Gael

### Change 10 February 1995

[edit]

Resignation of Phil Hogan after leaking details of the budget.[25][26]

Name  | Department(s)  | Responsibility  | Party
Jim Higgins | Finance | Public Expenditure
Office of Public Works  |  | Fine Gael

### Changes 24 May 1995

[edit]

Following the appointment of Seán Barrett to government.[8]

Name  | Department(s)  | Responsibility  | Party
Jim Higgins | Taoiseach
Defence | Government Chief Whip  |  | Fine Gael
Hugh Coveney | Finance |  |  | Fine Gael

## Constitutional referendums

[edit]

The Fifteenth Amendment was proposed by Minister for Equality and Law Reform Mervyn Taylor and approved in a referendum on 24 November 1995. It removed the prohibition on divorce, replacing it terms allowing a court to dissolve a marriage, including a requirement to have been separated for four of the previous five years. It was followed by Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996.

The Sixteenth Amendment was proposed by Minister for Justice Nora Owen and approved in a referendum on 28 November 1996. It allowed a court to refuse bail to someone convicted of a serious offence when reasonably considered necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence by that person. It was followed by the Bail Act 1997.

## Confidence in the government

[edit]

After the government had failed to properly effect the dismissal of Judge Dominic Lynch, a motion of no confidence was proposed in the government. This was debated on 12 and 13 November 1996 as a motion of confidence in the government, proposed by the Taoiseach.[27] It was approved by a vote of 79 to 70.[28]

## Dissolution

[edit]

On 15 May 1997, the president dissolved the Dáil on the advice of the Taoiseach, and a general election was held on 6 June.[29] When the 28th Dáil met on 26 June, Bertie Ahern was nominated and appointed as Taoiseach and formed a Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrats coalition government.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Resignation of Taoiseach and Ministerial Changes: Statement". Dáil Debates. 447 (4). 22 November 1994. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
2. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. 447 (10). 15 December 1994. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
3. ^ a b c d "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of the Government". Dáil Debates. 447 (10). 15 December 1994. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
4. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 December 1994. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
5. ^ "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of the Government (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. 447 (10). 15 December 1994. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
6. ^ a b c "Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State". Dáil Debates. 447 (11). 25 January 1995. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
7. ^ "Nomination of Member of the Government: Motion". Dáil Debates. 453 (3). 23 May 1995. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
8. ^ a b "Appointment of Member of Government and Ministers of State". Dáil Debates. 453 (3). 24 May 1995. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
9. ^ "Nomination of Member of the Government: Motion". Dáil Debates. 472 (3). 3 December 1996. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
10. ^ "Appointment of Member of Government". Dáil Debates. 472 (4). 4 December 1996. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
11. ^ "Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister of State's Status and Role". Dáil Debates. 448 (1). 25 January 1995. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
12. ^ Statistics (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 29 of 1995). Signed on 11 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Statistics (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 220 of 1995). Signed on 6 June 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
13. ^ Enterprise and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 42 of 1995). Signed on 14 February 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Enterprise and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1996 (S.I. No. 349 of 1996). Signed on 26 November 1996. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Enterprise and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1996 (S.I. No. 350 of 1996). Signed on 26 November 1996. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Enterprise and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 164 of 1997). Signed on 22 April 1997. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
14. ^ Transport, Energy and Communications (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 181 of 1995). Signed on 20 June 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Transport, Energy and Communications (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1996 (S.I. No. 395 of 1996). Signed on 18 December 1996. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
15. ^ Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 131 of 1995). Signed on 18 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1996 (S.I. No. 24 of 1996). Signed on 30 January 1996. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
16. ^ Enterprise and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 43 of 1995). Signed on 14 February 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
17. ^ Justice (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 14 of 1995). Signed on 20 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
18. ^ Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 37 of 1995). Signed on 24 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 10 August 2021.; Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 65 of 1997). Signed on 4 February 1997. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 10 August 2021.
19. ^ Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 130 of 1995). Signed on 18 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
20. ^ Justice (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 13 of 1995). Signed on 20 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
21. ^ Marine (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 33 of 1995). Signed on 24 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Marine (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 199 of 1995). Signed on 3 July 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.; Marine (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 68 of 1997). Signed on 4 February 1997. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
22. ^ Environment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 3 of 1995). Signed on 4 January 1995. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
23. ^ "Appointment of Ministers of State". Dáil Debates. 448 (4). 1 February 1995. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
24. ^ Aran Islands Transport (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 1996 (S.I. No. 67 of 1996). Signed on 20 March 1996. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
25. ^ "Resignation of Minister of State: Personal Explanation". Dáil Debates. 448 (8). 9 February 1995. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
26. ^ "Appointment of Minister of State". Houses of the Oireachtas. 449 (1). 14 February 1995. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
27. ^ "Confidence in Government: Motion". Dáil Debates. 471 (4). 12 November 1996. Retrieved 24 October 2022.; "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. 471 (5). 13 November 1996. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2022.; "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. 471 (5). 13 November 1996. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
28. ^ "Confidence in Government: Motion (Resumed) – Votes – Dáil Éireann (26th Dáil) – 13 November 1996". Retrieved 24 October 2022.
29. ^ "Dissolution of Dáil". Dáil Debates. 479 (4). 15 May 1997. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Kenny, Shane (2024). Under the Rainbow: Inside John Bruton's Coalition Government. Gill. ISBN 9781804581865.

* v
* t
* e

Bruton cabinet (1994–1997)

* Taoiseach: John Bruton

* Seán Barrett
* Niamh Bhreathnach
* Richard Bruton
* Hugh Coveney
* Proinsias De Rossa
* Alan Dukes
* Michael D. Higgins
* Brendan Howlin
* Enda Kenny
* Michael Lowry
* Michael Noonan
* Nora Owen
* Ruairi Quinn
* Dick Spring
* Mervyn Taylor
* Ivan Yates

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Governments of Ireland

Ministry of Dáil Éireann (1919–1922)|

* Brugha
* De Valera
* 1
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* Griffith
* W. T. Cosgrave 1

Provisional Government of Ireland (1922)|

* Collins
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Executive Council of the Irish Free State (1922–1937)|

* W. T. Cosgrave
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* 5
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* De Valera
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Government of Ireland (1937–present)|

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Formation, confidence and resignations|

* Dáil vote for Taoiseach
* Dáil Éireann confidence motions
* Resignation and sackings of ministers

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