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 days.

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.

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. {| class="wikitable" !Office !Name !Term !colspan="2"|Party

Changes 29 September 2004

Following the resignation of Charlie McCreevy on his nomination as European Commissioner and of Michael Smith and Joe Walsh. !Office !Name !Term !colspan="2"|Party

Changes 13 September 2006

Following the resignation of Mary Harney as leader of the Progressive Democrats and the election of Michael McDowell. !Office !Name !Term !colspan="2"|Party

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. {| class="wikitable" !Name !Department(s) !Responsibility !colspan=2|Party

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. !Name !Department(s) !Responsibility !colspan=2|Party

Changes 5 October 2004

Following the resignation of Jim McDaid.

Change 7 December 2005

Redesignation of role.

Changes 14 February 2006

Following the resignation of Ivor Callely on 8 December 2005. !Name !Department(s) !Responsibility !colspan=2|Party

Changes 12 December 2006

Following the resignation of Síle de Valera on 8 December 2006. !Name !Department(s) !Responsibility !colspan=2|Party

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.