Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald asks President Patrick Hillery to dissolve the 22nd Dáil.
The Taoiseach looked for the dissolution of the Dáil bringing to an end a seven month Fine Gael Labour coalition government. The decision was made after the budget was defeated by one vote.
Objections to proposals to put VAT on children's shoes meant that budget 1982 failed to get passed in the Dáil.
After the budget vote Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald made his way to Áras an Uachtaráin to seek a dissolution from President Patrick Hillery.
A general election is to be held on 18 February and a new Dáil will assemble on 9 March.
Taoiseach Dr Garret FitzGerald and President Patrick Hillery sign the documents to dissolve the 22nd Dáil.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 27 January 1982. The footage shown here is mute.
