National Coalition

Twentieth Dáil - (14 March 1973-25 May 1977)

The Fourteenth Government of Ireland - or more commonly the National Coalition - was the name given to the coalition government formed in the Republic of Ireland in 1973 by the Fine Gael and Labour parties. It remained in power for four years but was defeated in the 1977 general election, when the opposition Fianna Fáil party won the biggest landslide in Irish electoral history.

The National Coalition is remembered, among other things, for restricting the power of the National Council for Educational Awards. This forced the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick to apply to the National University of Ireland for the conferring of degrees.

The National Coalition was led by Liam Cosgrave, the Fine Gael leader, as Taoiseach, and Brendan Corish. the Labour leader, as Tánaiste.

Fourteenth Government of Ireland

• Liam Cosgrave, FG - An Taoiseach
• Brendan Corish, LAB - An Tánaiste and Minister for Health & Social Welfare
• Paddy Donegan, FG - Minister for Defence (14.3.1973 - 2.12.1976)
  • Minister for Lands (2.12.1976 - 5.7.1977)
• James Tully, FG - Minister for Local Government
• Richie Ryan, FG - Minister for Finance
• Mark Clinton, FG - Minister for Agriculture & Fisheries
• Michael O Leary, LAB - Minister for Labour
• Tom O'Donnell, FG - Minister fof the Gaeltacht
• Tom Fitzpatrick, FG - Minister for Lands (14.3.1973 - 2.12.1976)
  • Minister for Transport & Power (2.12.1976 - 5.7.1977)
• Garret FitzGerald, FG - Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Conor Cruise O'Brien, LAB - Minister for Posts & Telegraphs
• Peter Barry, FG - Minister for Transport & Power (14.3.1973 - 2.12.1976)
  • Minister for Education (2.12.1976 - 5.7.1977)
• Justin Keating, FG - Minister for Industry & Commerce
• Richard Burke, FG - Minister for Education (14.3.1973 - 2.12.1976)
• Patrick Cooney, FG - Minister for Justice
• Government of the 19th Dáil
  

Governments of Ireland
Rialtais na hÉireann Succeeded by:
Government of the 21st Dáil