24th government of Ireland
The 24th government of Ireland 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.
Formation
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. 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
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. Bruton was appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary Robinson.Government ministers
After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, John Bruton proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.Changes 23 May 1995
Hugh Coveney was demoted to a Minister of State after allegations of improper contact with businessmen.Changes 3 December 1996
Michael Lowry resigned following reports of improper payments from businessman Ben Dunne.Attorney General
Dermot Gleeson SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.Ministers of state
Appointments 15 December 1994
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.!Name
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Appointments 20 December 1994
Appointment by the government of 13 further Ministers of State on the nomination of the Taoiseach.!Name
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Appointments 27 January 1995
Following the increase in the number of Ministers of State permitted from 15 to 17 in the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1995.!Name
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Change 10 February 1995
Resignation of Phil Hogan after leaking details of the budget.!Name
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Changes 24 May 1995
Following the appointment of Seán Barrett to government.!Name
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Constitutional referendums
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 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.