24th Government of Ireland
The 24th Government of Ireland (15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997) was the 2nd Government of the 27th Dáil. Known as the Rainbow Coalition, it was a coalition of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Democratic Left. The Labour Party had been part of the 23rd Government with Fianna Fáil, formed after the 1992 general election, but left in 1994 following a number of scandals, particularly those which emerged from the Beef Tribunal and the alleged mishandling of the prosecution 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.
| Government of the 27th Dáil 24th Government of Ireland | |
|---|---|
| Date formed | 15 December 1994 |
| Date dissolved | 26 June 1997 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Mary Robinson |
| Head of government | John Bruton |
| Deputy head of government | Dick Spring |
| Total no. of ministers | 15 |
| Member parties | Fine Gael Labour Party Democratic Left |
| Status in legislature | Coalition |
| Opposition leader | Bertie Ahern (Fianna Fáil) |
| History | |
| Legislature term(s) | 27th Dáil |
| Predecessor | 23rd Government |
| Successor | 25th Government |
This was the first time, and As of 2019 the only time, in Irish political history that a new government was formed within the same Dáil term composed of different parties.
Nomination of Taoiseach vote
| 15 December 1994 Nomination of Taoiseach vote for John Bruton (FG) Motion proposed by Nora Owen and seconded by Paddy Harte Absolute majority: 84/166 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Gael (47), Labour Party (32), Democratic Left (6) | 85 / 166 | |
| No | Fianna Fáil (65), Progressive Democrats (9) | 74 / 166 |
| Not voting | Independent (3), Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1), Green Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1) | 7 / 166 |
| Source: Oireachtas Debates | ||
Composition of the Government
The Ministers of the Government were approved on 15 December 1994.[2]
References
- "Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 22 Nov 1994: Resignation of Taoiseach and Ministerial Changes: Statement". Houses of the Oireachtas. 22 November 1994. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- "Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 15 Dec 1994: Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of the Government". Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 December 1994. Retrieved 15 August 2019.; "Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 15 Dec 1994: Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of the Government (Resumed)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 December 1994. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- "Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 23 May 1995: Nomination of Member of the Government: Motion". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 May 1995. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- "Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 3 Dec 1996: Nomination of Member of the Government: Motion". Houses of the Oireachtas. 3 December 1996. Retrieved 15 August 2019.