| Cabinet Name: | 17th government of Ireland |
| Cabinet Type: | Government |
| Jurisdiction: | Ireland |
| Date Formed: | 30 June 1981 |
| Date Dissolved: | 9 March 1982 |
| Government Head Title: | Taoiseach |
| Government Head: | Garret FitzGerald |
| Deputy Government Head Title: | Tánaiste |
| Deputy Government Head: | Michael O'Leary |
| State Head Title: | President |
| State Head: | Patrick Hillery |
| Total Number: | 15 |
| Legislature Status: | Minority Coalition |
| Opposition Party: | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition Leader: | Charles Haughey |
| Election: | 1981 general election |
| Previous: | 16th government |
| Successor: | 18th government |
The 17th government of Ireland (30 June 1981 – 9 March 1982) was the government of Ireland formed after the 1981 general election to the 22nd Dáil. It was a minority coalition government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party led by Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach and lasted for days.
The 22nd Dáil first met on 30 June 1981. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Charles Haughey, and Fine Gael leader Garret FitzGerald were both proposed.[1] The nomination of Haughey was defeated with 79 votes in favour to 83 against, while the nomination of FitzGerald was carried with 81 in favour and 78 against. FitzGerald was appointed as Taoiseach by President Patrick Hillery.[2]
| 30 June 1981 Nomination of Garret FitzGerald (FG) as Taoiseach[3] Motion proposed by Oliver J. Flanagan and seconded by Ivan Yates Absolute majority: 84/166 | |||||
| width=80px | Vote | width=425px | Parties | width=80px | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Fine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Jim Kemmy (1) | ||||
| No | Fianna Fáil (78) | ||||
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1), Socialist Labour Party (1), Sinn Féin The Workers' Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus (1) | ||||
| In prison | Anti H-Block (2) | ||||
After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Garret FitzGerald proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.[4]
On 30 July 1981, Peter Sutherland SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[2] [4]
On 30 June 1981, the Government appointed Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[4]
| Name | Department(s) | Responsibility | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerry L'Estrange | Taoiseach | Government Chief Whip | ||
| Defence[7] | Defence | |||
| Edward Collins | Industry and Energy | Oil and Minerals Exploration | ||
| Fergus O'Brien | Environment | Housing | ||
| Donal Creed | Health | Health | ||
| Mary Flaherty | Social Welfare | Poverty and the Family | ||
| Joseph Bermingham | Finance | Office of Public Works | ||
| Barry Desmond | Finance | Economic Planning | ||
| Michael Begley | Trade, Commerce and Tourism | Tourism | ||
| Michael Keating | Education | Youth and Sport | ||
| Dick Spring | Justice | Law Reform | ||
| Michael D'Arcy | Agriculture | Production and Marketing | ||
| Ted Nealon | Agriculture | Western Development | ||
| Jim O'Keeffe | Foreign Affairs | Overseas Development | ||
Change 10 July 1981Additional appointment[8] | ||||
| Name | Department(s) | Responsibility | Party | |
| Paddy Harte | Posts and Telegraphs[9] | Telecommunications | ||
Change 24 July 1981Additional appointment[10] | ||||
| Name | Department(s) | Responsibility | Party | |
| Mary Flaherty | Health | |||
Changes 11 November 1981 | ||||
| Name | Department(s) | Responsibility | Party | |
| Fergus O'Brien | Taoiseach[13] | Government Chief Whip | ||
| Defence | Defence | |||
| Donal Creed | Environment | Housing | ||
| Gerry L'Estrange | Health | Health | ||
On 27 January 1982, the Minister for Finance John Bruton proposed the budget, which was rejected by the Dáil.[14] [15]
| 27 January 1982 Financial Resolutions, 1982[16] Absolute majority: 84/166 | |||||
| width=80px | Vote | width=425px | Parties | width=80px | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Fine Gael (65), Labour Party (15), Socialist Labour Party (1) | ||||
| No | Fianna Fáil (78), Sinn Féin The Workers' Party (1), Independent Fianna Fáil (1), Jim Kemmy (1), Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus (1) | ||||
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1) | ||||
| In prison | Anti H-Block (1) | ||||
| Vacancy | 1 | ||||
The Taoiseach sought a dissolution of the Dáil, which was granted by the president, leading to the February 1982 general election.