Date formed 14 June 2007 Head of government Bertie Ahern Head of state Mary McAleese | Date dissolved 7 May 2008 Deputy head of government Brian Cowen Total no. of ministers 15 | |
The 30th Dáil was elected at the 2007 general election on 24 May 2007 and first met on 14 June when President Mary McAleese appointed Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach, on the nomination of Dáil Éireann. On the nomination of the Taoiseach, and following the Dáil's approval the 27th Government of Ireland was appointed.
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27th Government of Ireland
The 27th Government of Ireland (14 June 2007 – 7 May 2008) was composed of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. It was also supported by four Independent TDs. The independent TDs who supported the 27th Government were: Beverley Flynn, Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry and Finian McGrath. Flynn later rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in April 2008.
Composition
The government positions are listed in alphabetical order, rather than in terms of seniority.
28th Government of Ireland
The 28th Government of Ireland (7 May 2008 – 9 March 2011) was formed following the resignation of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach on 6 May 2008 and the subsequent election of Brian Cowen as Ireland's 12th head of government. It was initially composed of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats and supported by two independent TDs. Following the disbandment of the Progressive Democrats in 2009, it became a coalition of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party with the support of three independent TDs, including Mary Harney. 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, precipitating a general election.