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Government of the 20th Dáil

14th government of Ireland
Government of Ireland
Date formed	14 March 1973
Date dissolved	5 July 1977
People and organisations
President	Éamon de Valera (1973) Erskine H. Childers (1973–1974) Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (1974–1976) Patrick Hillery (1976–1977)
Taoiseach	Liam Cosgrave
Tánaiste	Brendan Corish
Total no. of members	15
Member parties	Fine Gael Labour Party
Status in legislature	Coalition
Opposition party	Fianna Fáil
Opposition leader	Jack Lynch
History
Election	1973 general election
Legislature terms	20th Dáil 13th Seanad
Predecessor	13th government
Successor	15th government

The 14th government of Ireland (14 March 1973 – 5 July 1977) was the government of Ireland formed after the 1973 general election to the 20th Dáil held on 28 February 1973. It was a coalition governmentofFine Gael and the Labour Party, known as the National Coalition, led by Liam CosgraveasTaoiseach with Brendan CorishasTánaiste. It was the first time either of the parties had been in government since the second inter-party government (1954–1957), when they were in coalition with Clann na Talmhan. It lasted for 1,575 days. The government was widely referred to as the "cabinet of all the talents".^[1][2][3]

The 20th Dáil first met on 14 March 1973. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Jack Lynch, and Fine Gael leader Liam Cosgrave were both proposed.^[4] The nomination of Lynch was defeated with 69 votes in favour to 73 against, while the nomination of Cosgrave was carried with 72 in favour and 70 against. Cosgrave was appointed as Taoiseach by President Éamon de Valera.^[5]

14 March 1973 Nomination of Liam Cosgrave (FG) as Taoiseach[6] Motion proposed by Brendan Corish and seconded by Maurice E. Dockrell Absolute majority: 73/144
Vote	Parties	Votes
Y Yes	Fine Gael (54), Labour Party (18)	72 / 144
No	Fianna Fáil (69), Independent Fianna Fáil (1)	70 / 144
Not voting	Ceann Comhairle (1), Independent (1)	2 / 144

After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Liam Cosgrave proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.^[5] They were appointed by the president on the same day.^[7]

Changes to departments

On 14 March 1973, Declan Costello SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.^[5][7] On 19 May 1977, Costello resigned as Attorney General on his nomination by the government for appointment as a judge of the High Court and John M. Kelly SC was appointed as Attorney General.^[15]

On 14 March 1973, the government appointed parliamentary secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.^[7]

The National Coalition restricted the power of the National Council for Educational Awards. This forced the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and Thomond College of Education, Limerick to apply to the National University of Ireland for the conferring of degrees and diplomas. It removed the requirement that Irish be passed to obtain a Leaving Certificate; it also reformed the civil service by removing the requirement of knowledge in Irish and the mandatory retirement on marriage that many women faced during their civil service careers.

A free travel scheme was also introduced covering bus and rail services for all blind persons over the age of 21.^[22]

In response to the assassination of the British Ambassador to Ireland Christopher Ewart-Biggs by the Provisional IRA on 21 July, Cosgrave introduced a motion to declare a national emergency under Article 28.3.3° of the Constitution of Ireland created by an armed conflict.^[23] This was approved by the Dáil on 1 September by a vote of 70 to 65.^[24] This was followed by the introduction of the Emergency Powers Bill 1976.

President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh referred the Emergency Powers Bill to the Supreme Court. Minister of Defence Paddy Donegan described the president as a "thundering disgrace" for this decision. The Minister apologised and privately offered to resign. Cosgrave refused to accept his resignation. On 21 October, Fianna Fáil proposed a motion in the Dáil calling on the minister to resign, which was defeated.^[25] Ó Dálaigh viewed the refusal to remove the minister as an affront to his office by the government and resigned on 22 October 1976. The following week, Fianna Fáil proposed a motion of no confidence in the government. This was countered by a motion of confidence in the government proposed by Cosgrave, which was carried on a vote of 73 to 67.^[26] The controversy caused severe damage to the image of the government.