Nomination of Taoiseach The
21st Dáil first met on 5 July 1977. In the debate on the
nomination of Taoiseach,
Fianna Fáil leader Jack Lynch was proposed, and this proposal was carried with 82 votes in favour and 61 votes against. Lynch was appointed as Taoiseach by
president Patrick Hillery.
Members of the Government After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Jack Lynch proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. ;Notes
Attorney General On 5 July 1977,
Anthony J. Hederman SC was appointed by the president as
Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach. A maximum of 10 Ministers of State could be appointed. On 14 December 1977, Taoiseach Jack Lynch announced that the existing Parliamentary Secretaries would be appointed as Ministers of State in their respective departments with effect from 1 January 1978, and the appointment of three TDs as additional Ministers of State who would also take office on that date.
Decisions of the government This government approved the
Nuclear Energy Board plans for a plant at
Carnsore Point to go ahead.
Desmond O'Malley, as
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, was central to this policy. Later the 16th Government, during the same Dáil, dropped these plans.
Confidence in the government On 29 May 1979,
Frank Cluskey proposed a
motion of no confidence in the government, citing the "serious economic mismanagement of the country by the Government".
Brian Lenihan,
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, proposed an amendment to the motion expressing "satisfaction at the Government's management of the economy". On the following day, the amendment was carried by a vote of 67 to 46.
Resignation Shortly after the loss by Fianna Fáil of two by-elections in Cork on 7 November 1979, Jack Lynch resigned as Fianna Fáil leader.
Charles Haughey won the
leadership election held on 7 December 1979. Lynch resigned as Taoiseach on 11 December 1979. ==16th government of Ireland==