23rd Dáil
| 23rd Dáil | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| Overview | |||||
| Legislative body | Dáil Éireann | ||||
| Jurisdiction | Ireland | ||||
| Meeting place | Leinster House | ||||
| Term | 9 March 1982 – 4 November 1982 | ||||
| Election | February 1982 general election | ||||
| Government | 18th government of Ireland | ||||
| Members | 166 | ||||
| Ceann Comhairle | John O'Connell | ||||
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey | ||||
| Tánaiste | Ray MacSharry | ||||
| Chief Whip | Bertie Ahern | ||||
| Leader of the Opposition | Garret FitzGerald | ||||
| Sessions | |||||
| |||||
The 23rd Dáil was elected at the February 1982 general election on 18 February 1982 and met on 9 March 1982. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature), of Ireland are known as TDs. It sat with the 16th Seanad as the two Houses of the Oireachtas.
On 4 November 1982, President Patrick Hillery dissolved the Dáil at the request of the Taoiseach Charles Haughey after the loss of a vote of confidence. The 23rd Dáil is the third shortest Dáil in history, lasting 240 days.
Composition of the 23rd Dáil
| Party | Feb. 1982 | Nov. 1982 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 81 | 80 | 1 | |
| Fine Gael | 63 | 64 | 1 | |
| Labour | 15 | 14 | 1 | |
| Sinn Féin The Workers' Party | 3 | 3 | ||
| Democratic Socialist | N/a | 1 | 1 | |
| Independent Fianna Fáil | 1 | 1 | ||
| Independent | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Ceann Comhairle | N/a | 1 | 1 | |
| Vacant | N/a | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 166 | |||
Fianna Fáil formed the 18th government of Ireland, a minority government that relied on the support of independents Tony Gregory, Neil Blaney and Sinn Féin The Workers' Party.
Graphical representation
This is a graphical comparison of party strengths in the 23rd Dáil from March 1982. This was not the official seating plan.
Ceann Comhairle
On the meeting of the Dáil, John O'Connell (Ind), who had served as Ceann Comhairle in the previous Dáil, was proposed by Neil Blaney (IFF) and seconded by Garret FitzGerald (FG) for the position. He was elected without a vote.[1]
On 23 March 1982, Jim Tunney (FF) was proposed by Bertie Ahern (FF) for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Paddy Harte (FG) was proposed by Garret FitzGerald (FG) and seconded by Peter Barry (FG). The Dáil divided 80 to 80 on the appointement of Tunney. O'Connell gave his casting vote in favour of Tunney.[2]
TDs by constituency
The list of the 166 TDs elected is given in alphabetical order by Dáil constituency.[3]
Changes
| Date | Constituency | Loss | Gain | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 March 1982 | Dublin South-Central | Independent | Ceann Comhairle | John O'Connell takes office as Ceann Comhairle[1] | ||
| 30 March 1982 | Dublin West | Fine Gael | Resignation of Richard Burke on his nomination as European Commissioner[4] | |||
| 25 May 1982 | Dublin West | Fine Gael | Liam Skelly holds seat vacated by the resignation of Burke[5] | |||
| 15 June 1982 | Galway East | Fianna Fáil | Death of Johnny Callanan[6] | |||
| 20 July 1982 | Galway East | Fianna Fáil | Noel Treacy holds seat vacated by the death of Callanan[7] | |||
| 18 October 1982 | Clare | Fianna Fáil | Death of Bill Loughnane[8] | |||
| 28 October 1982 | Dublin Central | Labour | Independent | Michael O'Leary resigns as Labour Party leader and party member[9] | ||
| 3 November 1982 | Dublin Central | Independent | Fine Gael | Michael O'Leary joins Fine Gael[10] | ||
On 27 October 1982, a writ to fill the vacancy in Clare was carried by a vote of 84 to 77.[11] This writ was cancelled when the Dáil was dissolved on 4 November 1982.[12]
References
- ^ a b "Election of Ceann Comhairle". Dáil Debates. 333 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 9 March 1982. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle". Dáil Debates. 333 (2). Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 March 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Proclamation". Dáil Debates. 333 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 9 March 1982. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Resignation of Member". Dáil Debates. 333 (5). Houses of the Oireachtas. 30 March 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Return to Writ: Dublin West. - Introduction of New Member". Dáil Debates. 335 (3). Houses of the Oireachtas. 1 June 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy". Dáil Debates. 336 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 June 1982.
- ^ "Return to Writ: Galway East. - Introduction of New Member". Dáil Debates. 338 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 October 1982. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Death of Member. - Expression of Sympathy". Dáil Debates. 338 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 October 1982. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Walsh, Dick (29 October 1982). "O'Leary gives up leadership and party". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "O'Leary welcomed as member of Fine Gael". The Irish Times. 4 November 1982. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Issue of Writ: Clare By-Election". Dáil Debates. 338 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 October 1982. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Proclamation". Dáil Debates. 339 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 December 1982. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.