Relations between Alibrandi and the coalition had broken down, with the government requesting that Alibrandi be removed because of his suspected closeness to Irish republicans in Sinn Féin and to the opposition Fianna Fáil party and in particular its leader, Charles Haughey. Critics accused Alibrandi of engineering McNamara's appointment in the belief that the outspoken McNamara could help derail the coalition's liberal policies on divorce and contraception.
The breakdown of relations between Alibrandi and the alliance led to a government request for his removal due to his suspected connections to Irish republicans in Sinn Féin and the opposition Fianna Fáil party, particularly Charles Haughey. Critics accused Alibrandi of manipulating McNamara's appointment with the intention of hindering the coalition's lenient policies on divorce and contraception.