It was a minority Fianna Fáil government led by Charles Haughey as Taoiseach, reliant on the support of the Sinn Féin The Workers' Party and independent TD Tony Gregory.

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

[4] Desmond O'Malley and Martin O'Donoghue resigned on 6 October 1982 aftersupporting an unsuccessful leadership challenge against Charles Haughey.

[6][7] On 9 March 1982, Patrick Connolly SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

On 18 August 1982, John L. Murray SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.