Government of the 28th Dáil


The 25th government of Ireland was the government of Ireland formed after the 1997 general election to the 28th Dáil held on 6 June 1997. It was a minority coalition government of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, led by Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach. It lasted.

Nomination of Taoiseach

The 28th Dáil first met on 26 June 1997. In the debate on the nomination of Taoisech, both outgoing Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader John Bruton and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern were proposed. The vote on Bruton was defeated with 75 votes in favour to 87 against, while the vote on Ahern was approved by 85 to 78. Ahern was then appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary Robinson.

Government ministers

After his appointment by the president, Bertie Ahern proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.

Changes 8 October 1997

Following the resignation of Ray Burke after allegations of corrupt payments under investigation by the Flood Tribunal.
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Changes 27 January 2000

Following the retirement from government of David Andrews.
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Attorney General

David Byrne SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. In 1999, he resigned on his nomination as European Commissioner. On 7 July 1999, Michael McDowell SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Ministers of state

Appointments 26 June 1997

The government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed ministers of state in attendance at cabinet meetings without a vote.
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Appointments 1 July 1997

The government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Michael Smith and Liz O'Donnell.
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Appointments 8 July 1997

The government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed 13 further ministers of state.
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Changes 9 October 1997

Following the appointment of Michael Smith as Minister for Defence on 8 October.
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Changes 21 January 1998

Expansion of scope of Minister of State for Children.
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Changes 1 February 2000

Following the resignation of Chris Flood and the appointment of Frank Fahey as Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.
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Changes 19 February 2001

Following the resignation of Ned O'Keeffe on 17 February.
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Changes 11 April 2002

Following the resignation of Bobby Molloy as a Minister of State on 10 April 2002. O'Donnell continued in her position as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Molloy's position as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government was not filled.
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Confidence in the government

After evidence given by Ahern at the Moriarty Tribunal, a motion of no confidence was proposed in the government. This was then debated on 30 June 2000 as a motion of confidence in the government, proposed by the Taoiseach. It was approved by the Dáil.

Dissolution

On 25 April 2002, the president dissolved the Dáil on the advice of the Taoiseach, and a general election was held on 17 May. The 29th Dáil met on 6 June and Bertie Ahern was re-appointed as Taoiseach and formed a new government.