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.
Ties between Alibrandi and the alliance had deteriorated, with the government asking that Alibrandi be eliminated due to his suspected closeness to Irish republicans in Sinn Féin and to the opposition Fianna Fáil party, particularly its leader Charles Haughey. Critics accused Alibrandi of orchestrating McNamara's appointment in the hope that the outspoken McNamara could hinder the coalition's lenient policies on divorce and contraception.