Government of Ireland

The Government of Ireland (Irish: Rialtas na hÉireann) is the executive authority of Ireland, headed by the Taoiseach, the head of government. The government – also known as the cabinet – is composed of ministers, each of whom must be a member of the Oireachtas, which consists of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. Ministers are usually assigned a government department with a portfolio covering specific policy areas although provision exists for the appointment of a minister without portfolio.

The taoiseach must be nominated by the Dáil, the House of Representatives, from among its members. Following the nomination of the Dáil, the president of Ireland formally appoints the taoiseach. The president also appoints members of the government on the nomination of the taoiseach and their approval by the Dáil. The taoiseach nominates one member of the government as tánaiste, the deputy head of government. Like the taoiseach, the tánaiste and the minister for finance must be members of the Dáil.

The government is dependent on the Oireachtas to pass primary legislation and as such, the government needs to command a majority in the Dáil to ensure support and confidence for budgets and the passage of government legislation.

The 35th government of Ireland entered office on 23 January 2025 with Micheál Martin, leader of Fianna Fáil, as Taoiseach, and Simon Harris, leader of Fine Gael, as Tánaiste. It is a coalition government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and a group of independent TDs, and was formed after negotiations following a general election in December 2024.