This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Ireland:

Feb 1948 – Jun 1951
President – Sean T. O’Kelly (FF); PM – John A. Costello (FG); Coalition – FG, Labour, National Labour, Clann na Poblachta, Clann na Talmhan

Jun 1954 – Mar 1957
President – Sean T. O’Kelly (FF); PM – John A. Costello (FG); Coalition – FG, Labour, Clann na Talmhan

Mar 1973 – Jul 1977
Presidents – Erskine Childers (June 1973-Nov 1974), Cearbhall O Dalaigh (Dec 1974-Oct 1976), Patrick Hillery (from Dec 1976) all FF; PM – Liam Cosgrave (FG); Coalition – FG, Labour

Jun 1981 – Mar 1982
President – Patrick Hillery (FF); PM – Garret FitzGerald (FG); Coalition – FG, Labour

Dec 1982 – Mar 1987
President – Patrick Hillery (FF); PM – Garret FitzGerald (FG); Coalition – FG, Labour

Dec 1990 – Feb 1992
President – Mary Robinson (Lab); PM – Charles J. Haughey (FF); Coalition – FF, PD

Feb 1992 – Jan 1993
President – Mary Robinson (Lab); PM – Albert Reynolds (FF); Coalition – FF, PD

Jun 1997 – Sep 1997
President – Mary Robinson (Lab); PM – Bertie Ahern (FF); Coalition – FF, PD

March 2011 – November 2011
President – Mary McAleese (FF); PM – Enda Kenny (FG); Coalition – FG, Labour

Party abbreviations:
FF – Fianna Fáil
FG – Fine Gael
PD – Progressive Democrats