National Coalition

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

The National Coalition Cabinet

• Taoiseach: Liam Cosgrave (FG)
• Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Social Welfare: Brendan Corish (LAB)
• Minister for Finance: Richie Ryan (FG)
• Minister for Foreign Affairs: Garret FitzGerald (FG)
• Minister for Defence: Paddy Donegan (until 1976), Oliver J. Flanagan (1976-1977) (FG)
• Minister for Transport and Power: Peter Barry (FG)
• Minister for Education: Dick Burke (until 1976), Peter Barry (1976-1977) (FG)
• Minister for Industry and Commerce: Justin Keating (LAB)
• Minister for Local Government: James Tully (LAB)
• Minister for Labour: Michael O'Leary (LAB)
• Minister for Justice: Patrick Cooney (FG)
• Minister for Agriculture: Mark Clinton (LAB)
• Minister for the Gaeltacht: Tom O'Donnell (FG)
• Minister for Posts and Telegraphs: Conor Cruise O'Brien (LAB)

See also

• Erskine Hamilton Childers - President of Ireland (1973-1974)
• Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh - President of Ireland (1974-1976)
• John Bruton - Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (1973-77)
• Jack Lynch - Leader of the Opposition (Fianna Fáil)
• Fine Gael
• Fianna Fáil
• Labour
• Official Sinn Féin
• Provisional Sinn Féin
• Republic of Ireland
• Dáil Éireann