On 26 June 1997, the 25th Government of Ireland was officially appointed by Dáil Éireann. The Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrats was led by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. On that day Ahern announced to Dáil Éireann that the Government had appointed Séamus Brennan to the post of Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip. Bobby Molloy was appointed on the same date to the position of Minister of State to the Government. On 8 July 1997, the Taoiseach announced that the Government had appointed the other Ministers of State.