There were two governments of the 30th Dáil, which was elected at the 2007 general election on 24 May 2007. The 27th government of Ireland (14 June 2007 – 7 May 2008) was led by Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach and lasted . The 28th government of Ireland (7 May 2008 – 9 March 2011) was led by Brian Cowen as Taoiseach and lasted . The governments were formed as coalition governments of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. The Progressive Democrats disbanded in November 2009 and Mary Harney continued as an Independent member of the government until 20 January 2011. The Green Party left government on 23 January 2011.
27th government of Ireland
The 27th government of Ireland was composed of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. It was also supported by four independent TDs: Beverley Flynn, Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry and Finian McGrath. Flynn later rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in April 2008.
Nomination of Taoiseach The 30th Dáil first met on 14 June. In the debate on the nomination of Taoisech, both outgoing Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny were proposed. Ahern received the nomination of the Dáil. Ahern was re-appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary McAleese.
14 June 2007Nomination of Bertie Ahern (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Brian Cowen and seconded by Trevor SargentAbsolute majority: 84/166 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fianna Fáil (77), Green Party (6), Independent (4), Progressive Democrats (2) No Fine Gael (51), Labour Party (20), Sinn Féin (4), Independent (1) Not voting Ceann Comhairle (1)
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. OfficeNamePartyTaoiseachBertie AhernFianna FáilTánaisteBrian CowenMinister for FinanceMinister for Health and ChildrenMary Harney Minister for TransportNoel DempseyFianna FáilMinister for Foreign AffairsDermot AhernMinister for Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentMicheál MartinMinister for Arts, Sport and TourismMinister for Social and Family AffairsMartin CullenMinister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsÉamon Ó CuívMinister for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodMary CoughlanMinister for Education and ScienceMary HanafinMinister for DefenceWillie O'DeaMinister for Justice, Equality and Law ReformBrian LenihanMinister for Communications, Energy and Natural ResourcesEamon RyanGreen PartyMinister for the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentJohn Gormley Changes to Departments
Attorney General On 14 June 2007, Paul Gallagher was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state On 14 June 2007, Ahern announced to the Dáil that the government on his nomination would re-appoint Tom Kitt, TD to the post of Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence, and would appoint Dick Roche, TD to the position of Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for European Affairs. On 20 June 2007, the Taoiseach announced the government had appointed of a further 15 Ministers of State on his nomination, as well as the names of three Ministers of State the government would appoint on his nomination after the passage of the Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Act 2007. This legislation increased the number of Ministers of State from 17 to 20 and was enacted on 9 July 2007. Kitt and Brendan Smith attended meetings of the cabinet.
NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityPartyTom KittTaoiseachDefenceGovernment Chief WhipDefence Brendan SmithHealth and ChildrenJustice, Equality and Law ReformEducation and ScienceChildren Dick RocheForeign AffairsEuropean Affairs Michael KittForeign AffairsOverseas Development Seán HaugheyEducation and ScienceEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentLifelong Learning, Youth Workand School Transport Billy KelleherEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentLabour Affairs Trevor SargentAgriculture, Fisheries and FoodFood and Horticulture Noel AhernFinanceOffice of Public Works Tony KilleenEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentCommunications, Energy and Natural ResourcesEnvironment and Energy Mary WallaceAgriculture, Fisheries and FoodForestry Batt O'KeeffeEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentHousing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas Pat CareyCommunity, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsDrugs Strategy and Community Affairs Conor LenihanCommunity, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsEducation and ScienceJustice, Equality and Law ReformIntegration Policy Michael AhernEducation and ScienceEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentInnovation Policy Pat "the Cope" GallagherHealth and ChildrenHealth Promotion and Food Safety Seán PowerJustice, Equality and Law ReformEquality Issues John BrowneAgriculture, Fisheries and FoodFisheries Appointments after 9 July 2007 Following the increase in the number of Ministers of State.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty John McGuinnessEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentTrade and Commerce Jimmy DevinsHealth and ChildrenEducation and ScienceEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentJustice, Equality and Law ReformDisability Issues and Mental Health Máire HoctorHealth and ChildrenSocial and Family AffairsEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentOlder People
Confidence in the Government On 26 September 2007, a motion of confidence in the Taoiseach and the government proposed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was approved with 81 votes in favour and 76 against.
On 28 November 2007, a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney was proposed by Jan O'Sullivan for the Labour Party. The motion was amended by the Minister, and the amended motion (now a vote of confidence) was carried, with 83 votes in favour to 73 votes against.
Resignation On 2 April 2008, Bertie Ahern announced his intention to resign as leader of Fianna Fáil. On 9 April, Brian Cowen was elected unopposed to succeed him. On 6 May, Ahern resigned as Taoiseach.
28th government of Ireland
The 28th government of Ireland was formed on 7 May 2008 following the resignation the previous day of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach. The new Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen was nominated by the Dáil as Ireland's 12th head of government. It was initially composed of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats and supported by independent TDs Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry and Finian McGrath. McGrath later withdrew his support in October 2008.
Following the disbandment of the Progressive Democrats in 2009, it became a coalition of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and Mary Harney, continuing as an Independent minister.
A cabinet reshuffle took place on 23 March 2010, following the resignations of Willie O'Dea and Martin Cullen. After the resignations of six ministers in January 2011, the vacant portfolios were reassigned to other ministers; with the subsequent resignation of Brian Cowen as leader of Fianna Fáil on 22 January 2011, the Green Party withdrew their support from the government.
The government was dominated by responses to the economic downturn, culminating in a troika of the EU/ECB/IMF troika directing the government's financial decisions in November 2010.
Nomination of Taoiseach On 7 May 2008, following the resignation of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore were each proposed to be nominated by Dáil Éireann for the position of Taoiseach. Cowen received the nomination of the Dáil. Cowen was appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary McAleese.
7 May 2008Nomination of Brian Cowen (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Bertie Ahern and seconded by John GormleyAbsolute majority: 84/166 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fianna Fáil (76), Green Party (6), Independent (4), Progressive Democrats (2) No Fine Gael (51), Labour Party (20), Sinn Féin (4), Independent (1) Absent orNot voting Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (1)
Government ministers After his appointment by the president, Brian Cowen proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.
OfficeNameTermPartyTaoiseachBrian Cowen2008–2011 TánaisteMary Coughlan2008–2011 Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment2008–2010Minister for FinanceBrian Lenihan2008–2011 Minister for Health and ChildrenMary Harney2008–2011 Minister for TransportNoel Dempsey2008–2011 Minister for Justice, Equality and Law ReformDermot Ahern2008–2011 Minister for Foreign AffairsMicheál Martin2008–2011 Minister for Arts, Sport and TourismMartin Cullen2008–2010 Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsÉamon Ó Cuív2008–2010 Minister for Social and Family AffairsMary Hanafin2008–2010 Minister for DefenceWillie O'Dea2008–2010 Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentJohn Gormley2008–2011 Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural ResourcesEamon Ryan2008–2011 Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodBrendan Smith2008–2011 Minister for Education and ScienceBatt O'Keeffe2008–2010 Changes 23 March 2010 Resignation of Willie O'Dea on 18 February and Martin Cullen on 23 March; OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Education and SkillsMary Coughlan2010–2011 Minister for Social ProtectionÉamon Ó Cuív2010–2011 Minister for Tourism, Culture and SportMary Hanafin2010–2011 Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe2010–2011 Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey2010–2011 Minister for DefenceTony Killeen2010–2011 Change 19 January 2011 Resignation of Mícheál Martin.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Foreign AffairsBrian Cowen2011 Changes 20 January 2011 Resignation of Mary Harney, Noel Dempsey, Dermot Ahern, Batt O'Keeffe and Tony Killeen.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for DefenceÉamon Ó Cuív2011 Minister for Enterprise, Trade and InnovationMary Hanafin2011 Minister for Health and ChildrenMary Coughlan2011 Minister for Justice and Law ReformBrendan Smith2011 Minister for TransportPat Carey2011 Changes 23 January 2011 Resignation of Green Party ministers John Gormley and Eamon Ryan.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Communications, Energy and Natural ResourcesPat Carey2011 Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentÉamon Ó Cuív2011 Changes to departments
Attorney General On 7 May 2008, Paul Gallagher was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state On 7 May 2008, Cowen announced that the government would on his nomination appoint Pat Carey, Barry Andrews, Trevor Sargent, and Dick Roche as ministers of state. Carey and Andrews would attend meetings of the cabinet. On 13 May 2008, Cowen announced the appointment by the government on his nomination of 16 further ministers of state.