It was a minority coalition government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party led by Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach and lasted for 252 days.

[2] After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Garret FitzGerald proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.

[7][8] On 30 July 1981, Peter Sutherland SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

[13][14] On 27 January 1982, the Minister for Finance John Bruton proposed the budget, which was rejected by the Dáil.

[16][17] The Taoiseach sought a dissolution of the Dáil, which was granted by the president, leading to the February 1982 general election.