In October 1976, Donegan made a speech on an official visit to the opening of new kitchen facilities in an armybarracks at Mullingar, County Westmeath in which he described as a "thundering disgrace" PresidentCearbhall Ó Dálaigh's refusal to sign the Emergency Powers Bill 1976. Ó Dálaigh had instead exercised his powers under Article 26 of the Constitution to refer it to the Supreme Court.[4] The Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, refused Donegan's resignation, and instead Ó Dálaigh resigned as President of Ireland. The whole episode badly damaged the government's reputation.
In December 1976, Donegan was appointed as Minister for Lands.[5] In February 1977, this office was restructured as the Minister for Fisheries.[6] He served in cabinet until the government lost office after the 1977 general election. Donegan retired from politics at the 1981 general election, and died in 2000. He was buried in his home town of Monasterboice, County Louth.
References
^"Patrick S. Donegan". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2012.