The 23rd government of Ireland (12 January 1993 – 15 December 1994) was the government formed following the 1992 general election to the 27th Dáil held on 25 November 1992. It was a coalitionofFianna Fáil, with leader Albert ReynoldsasTaoiseach, and the Labour Party, with leader Dick SpringasTánaiste. It was the first time that these two parties were in government together; on each previous occasion Labour was in government, it was a junior coalition party with Fine Gael. The government lasted for 675 days from its appointment until its resignation on 17 November 1994, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 28 days until the appointment of its successor, giving a total of 703 days.
The 27th Dáil lasted until 1997, but the first government fell in 1994 after the breakdown of relations between the two parties. It was succeeded in December 1994 by the 24th government, a coalition of Fine Gael, with leader John Bruton as Taoiseach, Labour, with Dick Spring serving again as Tánaiste, and Democratic Left, led by Proinsias De Rossa. This was the only time a government with a new coalition of parties was formed within a single Dáil term.
On 12 January 1993, Albert Reynolds and John Bruton were again proposed for the nomination of the Dáil for the position of Taoiseach, and on this occasion, the nomination of Reynolds was successful by 102 votes to 60.[3] Reynolds was then appointed as Taoiseach by PresidentMary Robinson.[4]
After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Albert Reynolds proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[4] They were appointed by the president on the same day.[6]
The Labour Party ministers resigned from government on 17 November 1994.[13] Albert Reynolds resigned as Taoiseach and continued to serve in a caretaker capacity.[14]
^The Department of Industry and Commerce was renamed as the Department of Enterprise and Employment on 20 January 1993.[7]
^The Department of Agriculture and Food was renamed as the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry on 21 January 1993.[8]
^The Department of Energy was renamed as the Department of Tourism and Trade on 22 January 1993.[9]
^McCreevy had initially been appointed as Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications and was re-assigned after the transfer of departmental function.[6]
^The Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications was renamed as the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications on 22 January 1993.[10]
^Cowen had initially been appointed as Minister for Energy and was re-assigned after the transfer of departmental functions.[6]
^The Department of Labour was renamed as the Department of Equality and Law Reform on 21 January 1993.[11]
^The Department of the Gaeltacht was renamed as the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 21 January 1993.[12]
On 12 January 1993 Harry WhelehanSC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[4][6] He resigned as Attorney General on 11 November 1994 on his nomination as President of the High Court (a position he would serve in for only two days). On 11 November 1994, Eoghan Fitzsimons SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
On 12 January 1993, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Noel Dempsey to the post of Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip.[4] On 14 January 1993, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed the other Ministers of State.[6]
After the sum of European Structural and Investment Funds allocated to Ireland was lower than previously announced, a motion of no confidence was proposed in the government. This was then debated on 28 October 1993 as a motion of confidence in the government, proposed by the Taoiseach.[15] It was approved by a vote of 94 to 55.[16]
In November 1994, the Attorney General, Harry Whelehan was nominated by the government as President of the High Court.[17] It emerged that he had failed to expedite the extradition of Fr Brendan SmythtoNorthern Ireland for sexual offences committed against children. The appointment of Whelehan to the court despite this led to a motion of no confidence in the government. Reynolds responded on 16 November by proposing a motion reaffirming the confidence of the Dáil in the Taoiseach and the Government.[18]
On the following day, 17 November, Labour withdrew from the government and Reynolds resigned as Taoiseach.[13] The motion of confidence in the government was withdrawn.[19] Reynolds and the Fianna Fáil ministers continued to carry on their duties until their successors were appointed on 15 December.[14]
^Industry and Commerce (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 19 of 1993). Signed on 20 January 1993. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 January 2020.
^Agriculture and Food (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 11 of 1993). Signed on 20 January 1993. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 January 2020.
^Tourism, Transport and Communications (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 17 of 1993). Signed on 20 January 1993. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 January 2020.
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