There were two governments of the 32nd Dáil, which was elected at the general election held on 26 February 2016. The 30th government of Ireland (6 May 2016 – 14 June 2017) was led by Enda Kenny as Taoiseach and the 31st government of Ireland (14 June 2017 – 27 June 2020) was led by Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach. They were minority governments with Fine Gael and Independent TDs at cabinet, reliant on the support of other Independent TDs, and a confidence and supply arrangement with Fianna Fáil. It was the first time Fine Gael had returned to government after a general election, and the succession of Varadkar as Taoiseach in 2017 was the first time a Fine Gael leader had succeeded a party colleague as Taoiseach within a Dáil term.
The general election for the 33rd Dáil took place on 8 February 2020. The 33rd Dáil met for the first time on 20 February 2020. Leo Varadkar was proposed as Taoiseach, and was defeated, but no other candidate was successfully nominated. Varadkar tendered his resignation to the president, but the 31st government continued to carry out its duties until the new government was appointed on 27 July 2020.
The 30th government lasted . The 31st government lasted from its appointment until its resignation on 20 February 2020, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 128 days until the appointment of its successor, giving a total of .
30th government of Ireland
Nomination of Taoiseach The 32nd Dáil first met on 10 March 2016. In debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, four candidates were proposed. None of the motions proposing these candidates were successful. Fine Gael leader and outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny resigned as Taoiseach, with the government continuing in a caretaker capacity to carry out its duties until its successors would be appointed. On 6 April and 14 April, further votes were taken on proposals to nominate candidates for the position of Taoiseach, with no candidate successful. On 6 May, a motion proposing Enda Kenny for appointment as Taoiseach was approved by the Dáil. Kenny was re-appointed as Taoiseach by President Michael D. Higgins.
6 May 2016Nomination of Enda Kenny (FG) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Noel Rock and seconded by Catherine ByrneAbsolute majority: 79/158 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fine Gael (50), Independent (9) No Sinn Féin (23), Labour Party (7), Anti-Austerity Alliance–People Before Profit (6),Independents 4 Change (4), Social Democrats (3), Independents (6) Not voting Fianna Fáil (43), Green Party (2), Independent (4), Ceann Comhairle (1)
Government ministers After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Enda Kenny proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day. OfficeNamePartyTaoiseachEnda KennyFine GaelMinister for DefenceTánaisteFrances FitzgeraldMinister for Justice and EqualityMinister for FinanceMichael NoonanMinister for Education and SkillsRichard BrutonMinister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local GovernmentSimon CoveneyMinister for Social ProtectionLeo VaradkarMinister for Foreign Affairs and TradeCharles FlanaganMinister for Public Expenditure and ReformPaschal DonohoeMinister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsHeather HumphreysMinister for HealthSimon HarrisMinister for Agriculture, Food and the MarineMichael CreedMinister for Communications, Climate Action and EnvironmentDenis NaughtenIndependentMinister for Transport, Tourism and SportShane RossMinister for Jobs, Enterprise and InnovationMary Mitchell O'Connor Minister for Children and Youth AffairsKatherine Zappone Changes to Departments
Attorney General Máire Whelan SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state On 6 May 2016, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Regina Doherty, Paul Kehoe and Finian McGrath as ministers of state in attendance at cabinet but without a vote. On 19 May 2016, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed 15 further ministers of state.
NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityTermPartyRegina DohertyTaoiseachGovernment Chief Whip Paul KehoeTaoiseachDefenceDefence2016–2017 Finian McGrathHealthJustice and EqualitySocial ProtectionDisability Issues2016–2017 Seán KyneArts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsCommunications, Climate Action and EnvironmentGaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources2016–2017 Damien EnglishHousing, Planning, Community and Local GovernmentHousing and Urban Renewal2016–2017 Dara MurphyTaoiseachForeign Affairs and TradeJustice and EqualityEuropean Affairs, Data Protectionand the EU Single Digital Market2016–2017 Eoghan MurphyFinancePublic Expenditure and ReformFinancial Services, eGovernmentand Public Procurement2016–2017 Patrick O'DonovanTransport, Tourism and SportTourism and Sport2016–2017 Andrew DoyleAgriculture, Food and the MarineFood, Forestry and Horticulture2016–2017 Pat BreenJobs, Enterprise and Innovation; Employment and Small Business2016–2017 John HalliganEducation and SkillsJobs, Enterprise and InnovationTraining and Skills2016–2017 Helen McEnteeHealthMental Health and Older People2016–2017 Marcella Corcoran KennedyHealthHealth Promotion2016–2017 David StantonJustice and EqualityEquality, Immigration, and Integration2016–2017 Seán CanneyPublic Expenditure and ReformOffice of Public Works and Flood Relief2016–2017 Joe McHughTaoiseachForeign Affairs and TradeDiaspora and Overseas Development Aid2016–2017 Michael RingArts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsRegional Economic Development2016–2017 Catherine ByrneHealthHousing, Planning, Community and Local GovernmentCommunities and the National Drugs Strategy 2016–2017 Change on 3 June 2017 In accordance with shared ministry deal between Kevin "Boxer" Moran and Seán CanneyKevin "Boxer" MoranPublic Expenditure and ReformOffice of Public Works and Flood Relief2017
Budget The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, delivered the 2017 budget on 11 October 2016.
Confidence in the government On 15 February 2017, a motion of confidence in the government proposed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny was approved with 57 votes in favour to 52 against and 44 registered abstentions.
Resignation On 17 May 2017, Enda Kenny resigned as leader of Fine Gael. Leo Varadkar succeeded him as leader in a party leadership election concluding on 2 June. On 13 June, Kenny resigned as Taoiseach.
31st government of Ireland
Nomination of Taoiseach After the resignation of Enda Kenny as Taoiseach on the previous day, on 14 June 2017, Leo Varadkar was proposed for the nomination of the Dáil for the position of Taoiseach. This motion was approved and Varadkar was appointed by President Michael D. Higgins. Varadkar was the first Fine Gael leader to succeed a party colleague as Taoiseach within a Dáil term. 14 June 2017Nomination of Leo Varadkar (FG) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Enda Kenny and seconded by Josepha MadiganAbsolute majority: 79/158 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fine Gael (50), Independents (7) No Sinn Féin (23), Labour Party (7), Solidarity–People Before Profit (5), Independents 4 Change (4), Green Party (2), Social Democrats (2), Workers and Unemployed Action (1), Independents (5) Abstain Fianna Fáil (41), Independents (4) Absent orNot Voting Fianna Fáil (3), Solidarity–People Before Profit (1), Independent (1), Ceann Comhairle (1)
Government ministers After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Leo Varadkar proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.
OfficeNameTermPartyTaoiseachLeo Varadkar2017–2020Fine GaelMinister for DefenceTánaisteFrances Fitzgerald2017Minister for Business, Enterprise and InnovationMinister for FinancePaschal Donohoe2017–2020Minister for Public Expenditure and ReformMinister for Foreign Affairs and TradeSimon CoveneyMinister for Justice and EqualityCharles FlanaganMinister for HealthSimon HarrisMinister for Culture, Heritage and the GaeltachtHeather Humphreys2017Minister for Agriculture, Food and the MarineMichael Creed2017–2020Minister for Education and SkillsRichard Bruton2017–2018Minister for Communications, Climate Action and EnvironmentDenis Naughten IndependentMinister for Transport, Tourism and SportShane Ross2017–2020Minister for Children and Youth AffairsKatherine ZapponeMinister for Rural and Community DevelopmentMichael Ring Fine GaelMinister for Employment Affairs and Social ProtectionRegina DohertyMinister for Housing, Planning and Local GovernmentEoghan MurphyChanges on 30 November 2017 Following the resignation of Frances Fitzgerald on 28 November.OfficeNameTermPartyTánaisteSimon Coveney2017–2020Fine GaelMinister for Business, Enterprise and InnovationHeather HumphreysMinister for Culture, Heritage and the GaeltachtJosepha MadiganChanges on 11 October 2018 Following the resignation of Denis Naughten.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Communications, Climate Action and EnvironmentRichard Bruton2018–2020Fine GaelMinister for Education and SkillsJoe McHugh Changes to Departments
Attorney General Séamus Woulfe SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state On 14 June 2017, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Joe McHugh, Mary Mitchell O'Connor, Paul Kehoe and Finian McGrath as ministers of state in attendance at cabinet but without a vote. On 20 June, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed 15 further ministers of state.
NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityTermPartyJoe McHughTaoiseachCulture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Government Chief Whip andGaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands Mary Mitchell O'ConnorEducation and Skills; Higher Education2017–2020 Paul KehoeTaoiseachDefenceDefence2017–2020 Finian McGrathHealthJustice and EqualityEmployment Affairs and Social ProtectionDisability Issues2017–2020 Helen McEnteeForeign Affairs and TradeEuropean Affairs2017–2020 Patrick O'DonovanFinancePublic Expenditure and ReformPublic Procurement,Open Governmentand eGovernment2017–2020 Michael D'ArcyFinancePublic Expenditure and ReformFinancial Services and Insurance2017–2020 Ciarán CannonForeign Affairs and TradeDiaspora and International Development2017–2020 Jim DalyHealthMental Health and Older People2017–2020 Brendan GriffinTransport, Tourism and SportTourism and Sport2017–2020 John Paul PhelanHousing, Planning and Local Government; Local Government and Electoral Reform2017–2020 Catherine ByrneHealth; Health Promotion andNational Drugs Strategy2017–2020 Pat BreenBusiness, Enterprise and Innovation; Employment Affairs and Social ProtectionTaoiseachJustice and EqualityTrade, Employment, Business,EU Digital Single Marketand Data Protection2017–2020 Seán KyneRural and Community DevelopmentCommunications, Climate Action and EnvironmentNatural Resources,Community Affairsand Digital Development2017–2018 John HalliganEducation and Skills; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Training, Skills, Innovation,Research and Development2017–2020 Andrew DoyleAgriculture, Food and the MarineFood, Forestry and Horticulture2017–2020 Damien EnglishHousing, Planning and Local GovernmentHousing and Urban Development2017–2020 Kevin "Boxer" MoranPublic Expenditure and ReformOffice of Public Worksand Flood Relief2017–2020 David StantonJustice and EqualityEquality, Immigration and Integration2017–2020 Change on 16 October 2018 Following the appointment of Joe McHugh to Cabinet.Seán KyneTaoiseachCulture, Heritage and the GaeltachtGovernment Chief WhipGaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands2018–2020 Seán CanneyRural and Community DevelopmentCommunications, Climate Action and EnvironmentNatural Resources,Community Affairsand Digital Development2018–2020
Constitutional referendums