The lists below indicate members of the government of Ireland (government ministers) or ministers of state (junior ministers) who left office during the term of a government.
In many instances, a resignation was requested by the Taoiseach, including during a reshuffle. This is distinct from circumstances where a minister's appointment was terminated by the Taoiseach, including instances where the minister refused to comply with a request to resign. Ministers may become disqualified if they cease to be members of the Oireachtas (other than at a general election) or if there is a statutory disqualification preventing them from remaining in office.
Prior to 1937, the head of government was the President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, rather than the Taoiseach.
Government ministers Members of the government are appointed by the president on the nomination of the Taoiseach with the approval of the Dáil. The president accepts the resignation or terminates the appointment of a minister based on the advice of the Taoiseach. This is governed by Articles 13 and 28 of the Constitution of Ireland.
Resignations GovernmentDateMinisterPositionPartyTaoiseachNotes2nd ECMinister for Industry and Commerce Irish Army Mutiny: opposition to approach of Executive CouncilMinister for Defence Irish Army MutinyMinister for Education Failure of Irish Boundary Commission to secure substantial territory5th GovMinister for Health Disagreement over Mother and Child Scheme10th GovMinister for Agriculture Disagreement over farming policy13th GovMinister for Justice Requested due to medical absenceMinister for Local GovernmentMinister for Social Welfare In protest at the sacking of Blaney and HaugheyMinister for Foreign Affairs Nominated as European Commissioner14th GovMinister for Education Nominated as European Commissioner16th GovMinister for Defence Nominated as Ceann Comhairle16th GovMinister for Finance Nominated as European Commissioner18th GovMinister for Education Supported challenge to leadershipMinister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism19th GovMinister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism Disagreement on Dublin Gas PolicyMinister for Energy and Tánaiste Left government in opposition to budgetMinister for HealthMinister for Tourism, Fisheries and ForestryMinister for LabourMinister for the Public Service20th GovMinister for Finance Nominated as European Commissioner22nd GovMinister for Industry and Commerce Party left government (Beef Tribunal)Minister for EnergyMinister for Justice Nominated as European Commissioner23rd GovMinister for Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste Party left governmentMinister for Enterprise and EmploymentMinister for Equality and Law ReformMinister for Arts, Culture and the GaeltachtMinister for HealthMinister for Education24th GovMinister for DefenceMinister for the Marine Demoted to Minister of StateMinister for Transport, Energy and CommunicationsReports of receipt of improper payments25th GovMinister for Foreign Affairs Reports of corrupt paymentsMinister for Foreign AffairsRetirement after implementation of Good Friday Agreement26th GovMinister for Finance Nominated as European CommissionerMinister for Defence To facilitate cabinet reshuffleMinister for Agriculture and Food Retirement28th GovMinister for Defence Affidavit controversyMinister for Arts, Sport and TourismIll healthMinister for Foreign AffairsChallenge to leadershipMinister for HealthAhead of retirement at forthcoming general electionMinister for Justice and Law ReformMinister for TransportMinister for Enterprise, Trade and InnovationMinister for DefenceMinister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Party left governmentMinister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources29th GovMinister for Justice and EqualityMinister for DefencePublication of Guerin ReportMinister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and TánaisteFollowing Labour leadership electionMinister for Education and SkillsMinister for Communications, Energy and Natural ResourcesMinister for the Environment, Community and Local GovernmentNominated as European CommissionerMinister for Arts, Heritage and the GaeltachtDemoted to Minister of State31st GovMinister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Tánaiste Threat of motion of no confidence surrounding Garda whistleblower scandalMinister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Broadband procurement process32nd GovMinister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Golfgate
Terminations of appointment GovernmentDateMinisterPositionPartyTaoiseachNotes13th GovMinister for Agriculture Arms CrisisMinister for Finance21st GovMinister for Defence and Tánaiste Minister for FinanceChallenge to leaderMinister for the Environment32nd GovMinister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Non-disclosure of driving offences
Disqualification GovernmentDateMinisterPositionPartyTaoiseachNotes7th ECMinister for Lands Abolition of Seanad Éireann4th GovMinister for FinanceTánaiste Election as president of Ireland
Nomination withdrawn On 13 November 1991, Jim McDaid was proposed as Minister for Defence, but his name was withdrawn later that day.
Ministers of State Ministers of State are appointed by the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach. Prior to 1978, the equivalent position was Parliamentary Secretary.
Resignations GovernmentDateMinisterDepartmentPartyTaoiseachNotes2nd ECPresident of the Executive Council (Chief Whip) Irish Army Mutiny: opposition to approach of Executive Council4th GovLocal Government and Public Health Findings of Tribunal13th GovLocal Government Arms Crisis15th GovTaoiseach (Chief Whip)Defence Elected as MEP19th GovFinance ReshuffleTourism, Fisheries and Forestry Party left government in opposition to the budgetSocial WelfareEnvironment22nd GovEnvironment Party left government (Beef Tribunal)24th GovFinance Leaked details of budget25th GovTourism, Sport and Recreation Ill healthAgriculture, Food and Rural DevelopmentFailed to disclose a conflict of interestGovernmentEnvironment and Local Government Backlash after an attempted intervention in a rape case26th GovTransport Not disclosed, rumored to have been to alcoholism TransportFailed to disclose a conflict of interestEducation and ScienceAhead of retirement at forthcoming general election28th GovTransport Resigned, not re-appointed in reshuffleEducation and ScienceEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentHealth and ChildrenSocial and Family AffairsEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentCommunications, Energy and Natural ResourcesHealth and ChildrenAgriculture, Fisheries and FoodHealth and ChildrenAttempted to exert influence over Garda in a local caseAgriculture, Fisheries and FoodTransportEnvironment, Heritage and Local GovernmentParty left governmentJustice and Law ReformCommunity, Equality and Gaeltacht AffairsEducation and Skills29th GovEnvironment, Community and Local Government Opposition to closure of Columb BarracksHealthDisagreement over healthcare reformsTaoiseachForeign Affairs(European Affairs)Lost party whip on voting against Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013Arts, Heritage and the GaeltachtReshuffleJobs, Enterprise and InnovationEnvironment, Community and Local GovernmentCommunications, Energy and Natural ResourcesEducation and SkillsForeign Affairs and Trade30th GovPublic Expenditure and Reform Arrangement with Kevin "Boxer" Moran32nd GovEnterprise, Trade and Employment Non-disclosure of property interests33rd GovEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentSocial Protection Planning application irregularityEducationAhead of retirement at next election
Terminations of appointment GovernmentDateMinisterDepartmentPartyTaoiseachNotes19th GovEducation Refused to resign in the reshuffleFisheries and ForestryEnergyIndustry and CommerceFailure to disclose conflict of interest21st GovTaoiseach Supported challenge to leaderHealthIndustry and Commerce
Disqualification GovernmentDateMinisterDepartmentPartyTaoiseachNotes23rd GovAgriculture, Food and Forestry Election as MEP26th GovAgriculture and Food Election as MEP29th GovFinancePublic Expenditure and Reform Election as MEP
References