 After the November 1982 general election, another Fine Gael–Labour Party coalition was returned to office in the 24th Dáil under Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald.In February 1983, he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (with responsibilities for Arts and Culture).He was also Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, subsequently becoming Minister of State at the Department of Communications when the department was renamed.