The 26th government of Ireland (6 June 2002 – 14 June 2007) was the government of Ireland formed after the 2002 general election to the 29th Dáil which had been held on 17 May 2002. It was led by Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach, with Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney as Tánaiste. It was the first, and to date only, coalition government to be returned to government after an election; both parties increased their number of seats, and together secured a Dáil majority, where in the previous government they had governed together as a minority government dependent on the support of Independent TDs. It lasted for .
Nomination of Taoiseach The 29th Dáil first met on 6 June 2002. In the debate on the nomination of Taoisech, outgoing Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Labour Party leader Ruairi Quinn, and Green Party leader Trevor Sargent were each proposed. Ahern received the nomination of the Dáil. Ahern was re-appointed as Taoiseach by President Mary McAleese.
6 June 2002Nomination of Bertie Ahern (FF) as TaoiseachMotion proposed by Charlie McCreevy and seconded by Mary HarneyAbsolute majority: 84/166VotePartiesVotes Yes Fianna Fáil (80), Progressive Democrats (8), Independent (5) No Fine Gael (31), Labour Party (21), Green Party (6), Sinn Féin (5), Independent (4), Socialist Party (1) Not voting Independent (4), Ceann Comhairle (1)
Government ministers After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Bertie Ahern proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day. OfficeNameTermPartyTaoiseachBertie Ahern2002–2007 TánaisteMary Harney2002–2006 Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment2002–2004Minister for FinanceCharlie McCreevy2002–2004 Minister for DefenceMichael Smith2002–2004 Minister for Agriculture and FoodJoe Walsh2002–2004 Minister for Foreign AffairsBrian Cowen2002–2004 Minister for Education and ScienceNoel Dempsey2002–2004 Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural ResourcesDermot Ahern2002–2004 Minister for Arts, Sport and TourismJohn O'Donoghue2002–2007 Minister for Health and ChildrenMicheál Martin2002–2004 Minister for TransportSéamus Brennan2002–2004 Minister for Justice, Equality and Law ReformMichael McDowell2002–2007 Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentMartin Cullen2002–2004 Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsÉamon Ó Cuív2002–2007 Minister for Social and Family AffairsMary Coughlan2002–2004 Changes 29 September 2004 Following the resignation of Charlie McCreevy on his nomination as European Commissioner and of Michael Smith and Joe Walsh.OfficeNameTermPartyMinister for Health and ChildrenMary Harney2004–2007 Minister for FinanceBrian Cowen2004–2007 Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural ResourcesNoel Dempsey2004–2007 Minister for Foreign AffairsDermot Ahern2004–2007 Minister for Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentMicheál Martin2004–2007 Minister for Social and Family AffairsSéamus Brennan2004–2007 Minister for TransportMartin Cullen2004–2007 Minister for Agriculture and FoodMary Coughlan2004–2007 Minister for Education and ScienceMary Hanafin2004–2007 Minister for DefenceWillie O'Dea2004–2007 Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentDick Roche2004–2007 Changes 13 September 2006 Following the resignation of Mary Harney as leader of the Progressive Democrats and the election of Michael McDowell.OfficeNameTermPartyTánaisteMichael McDowell2006–2007 Changes to departments
Attorney General Rory Brady SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
Ministers of state On 6 June 2002, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Mary Hanafin to the post of Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and Dick Roche, the position of Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for European Affairs. On 18 June, the Taoiseach announced that the government had appointed with effect from 19 June the other 15 Ministers of State and that the government had also appointed Mary Hanafin to be Minister of State at the Department of Defence. NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Mary HanafinTaoiseachDefenceGovernment Chief WhipDefenceInformation society Dick RocheTaoiseachForeign AffairsEuropean Affairs Brian LenihanHealth and ChildrenJustice, Equality and Law ReformEducation and ScienceChildren Tom KittForeign AffairsOverseas Development and Human Rights Síle de ValeraEducation and ScienceAdult Education, Youth Affairs and Educational Disadvantage Jim McDaidTransportRoad Traffic and Road Haulage Frank FaheyEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentLabour Affairs Noel TreacyAgriculture and FoodFood and Horticulture Willie O'DeaJustice, Equality and Law ReformEquality and Disability Issues Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentEnvironmental Protection Liam AylwardAgriculture and FoodAnimal Health and Welfare; and Customer Service John BrowneCommunications, Marine and Natural ResourcesMarine Michael AhernEnterprise, Trade and Employment; Trade and Commerce Ivor CallelyHealth and ChildrenOlder People Noel AhernEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentCommunity, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsHousing and Urban RenewalDrugs Strategy and Community Affairs Tim O'MalleyHealth and ChildrenMental Health Services and Food Safety Tom ParlonFinanceOffice of Public Works Changes 29 September 2004 Following the election to the European Parliament of Liam Aylward and the appointment to government of Mary Hanafin, Dick Roche and Willie O'Dea.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Tom KittTaoiseachDefenceGovernment Chief Whip Frank FaheyJustice, Equality and Law ReformEquality and Disability Issues Noel TreacyTaoiseachForeign AffairsEuropean Affairs Pat "the Cope" GallagherCommunications, Marine and Natural Resources; ; ; ; Marine John BrowneAgriculture and FoodForestry Ivor CallelyTransportTraffic Management, Road Haulage and the Irish Aviation Authority Seán PowerHealth and ChildrenHealth Promotion Batt O'KeeffeEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentEnvironmental Protection Tony KilleenEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentLabour Affairs Brendan SmithAgriculture and FoodFood and Horticulture Changes 5 October 2004 Following the resignation of Jim McDaid.Conor LenihanForeign AffairsOverseas Development and Human Rights Change 7 December 2005 Redesignation of role.Brian LenihanHealth and ChildrenJustice, Equality and Law ReformEducation and ScienceOffice of the Minister for Children Changes 14 February 2006 Following the resignation of Ivor Callely on 8 December 2005.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Mary WallaceAgriculture and FoodForestry John BrowneCommunications, Marine and Natural ResourcesMarine; ; ; Pat "the Cope" GallagherTransportTraffic Management, Road Haulage and the Irish Aviation Authority Changes 12 December 2006 Following the resignation of Síle de Valera on 8 December 2006.NameDepartment(s)ResponsibilityParty Seán HaugheyEducation and ScienceAdult Education, Youth Affairs and Educational Disadvantage
Dissolution On 29 April 2007, the president dissolved the Dáil on the advice of the Taoiseach, and a general election was held on 24 May. The 30th Dáil met on 14 June and Bertie Ahern was re-appointed as Taoiseach and formed a new government.
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