Government of the 13th Dáil
5th government of Ireland (First inter-party government) | |
|---|---|
 Government of Ireland | |
| Date formed | 18 February 1948 |
| Date dissolved | 13 June 1951 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Seán T. O'Kelly |
| Taoiseach | John A. Costello |
| Tánaiste | William Norton |
| Totalno.of members | 12 |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Minoritycoalition |
| Opposition party | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition leader | Éamon de Valera |
| History | |
| Election | 1948 general election |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 4th government |
| Successor | 6th government |
The5th government of Ireland(18 February 1948 – 13 June 1951), commonly known as theFirst inter-party government,was formed after the1948 general electionheld to the13th Dáilon 4 February. It was anIrish governmentofFine Gael,theLabour Party,Clann na Poblachta,Clann na Talmhanand theNational Labour Party—and oneTDwho was anindependent,James Dillon(who had resigned from Fine Gael after opposing Ireland'sneutralityinWorld War II). The parties had many different aims and viewpoints, but opposition toFianna Fáilovercame difficulties in forming a government;Éamon de Valerahad led a series of single-party Fianna Fáil governments since 1932. The cabinet was made up of representatives of all parties, and ministers were given a great degree of independence. Some key events during the lifetime of the government include thedeclaration of the Republic of Irelandin 1948 and the crisis surrounding theMother and Child Schemein 1951. It lasted for 1,212 days.
Formation[edit]
Fianna Fáilhad been in office continuously since 1932, withÉamon de Valeraas head of government (titled asPresident of the Executive Council of the Irish Free Stateuntil 1937, and from then asTaoiseach). However, after the1948 general election,the party was six seats short of a majority.
At first, it seemed that de Valera would attempt to form aminority government.Negotiations forconfidence and supplywith theNational Labour Partyfailed when National Labour insisted on a formal coalition; at that time, Fianna Fáil would not enter coalitions with other parties. Nevertheless, it initially appeared that Fianna Fáil was the only party that could realistically form a government. Even though it was short of a majority, Fianna Fáil was by far the largest party in the Dáil, with 37 more seats than the next-largest party,Fine Gael.
However, the other parties realised that between them, they only had only one seat fewer than Fianna Fáil, and if they worked together, they could form a government with the support of at least seven independents. As the second-largest party in the Dáil, it was a foregone conclusion that Fine Gael would head such a coalition. In the normal course of events, Fine Gael leaderRichard Mulcahywould have been the prospective coalition's nominee for Taoiseach. However, Clann na Poblachta leaderSeán MacBriderefused to serve under Mulcahy because of his role incarrying out 77 executionsunder the government of theIrish Free Statein the early 1920s during theIrish Civil War.Accordingly, Mulcahy bowed out in favour of formerAttorney GeneralJohn A. Costello.Costello found himself as leader of a disparate group of young and old politicians, republicans and Free Staters, conservatives and socialists. The government survived for three years, however, through the skill of Costello as Taoiseach and the independence of various ministers.
Nomination of Taoiseach[edit]
The13th Dáilfirst met on 18 February 1948. In the debate on thenomination of Taoiseach,Fianna Fáil leaderand outgoing TaoiseachÉamon de ValeraandJohn A. CostelloofFine Gaelwere both proposed. The nomination of de Valera was defeated by 70 to 75, while the nomination of Costello was approved by 75 to 68.[1]Costello was appointed as Taoiseach byPresidentSeán T. O'Kelly.[2]
| 18 February 1948 Nomination ofJohn A. Costello(FG) as Taoiseach[3] Motion proposed byRichard Mulcahyand seconded byWilliam Norton Absolute majority: 74/147 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Yes |
Fine Gael(31),Labour Party(14),Clann na Poblachta(10),Clann na Talmhan(7),National Labour Party(5),Independents(8) | 75 / 147
|
| No | Fianna Fáil(66),Independents(2) | 68 / 147
|
| Absent or Not voting |
Ceann Comhairle(1),Independents(2),Fianna Fáil(1) | 4 / 147
|
Members of the Government[edit]
The Ministers of the Government were proposed by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil.[4]They were appointed by the president on the same day.[5]
Parliamentary Secretaries[edit]
On 24 February 1948, the Government appointed theParliamentary Secretarieson the nomination of the Taoiseach.[5]
Republic of Ireland[edit]
The Republic of Ireland Act 1948was enacted on 21 December 1948. It repealed theExecutive Authority (External Relations) Act 1936,removing any remaining external function of the British monarchy in Ireland. It also declared that the description of the state was theRepublic of Ireland.The Act came into operation onEaster Monday,18 April 1949.[12]
References[edit]
- ^"Nomination of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 18 February 1948".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Appointment of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 18 February 1948".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 18 February 1948".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved22 February2020.
- ^"Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 18 February 1948".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^ab"Appointment of Members of Government and Parliamentary Secretaries – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 25 February 1948".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved22 February2020.
- ^"Assignment of Local Government Department – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Tuesday, 3 May 19459".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Nomination of Member of the Government – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 11 May 1949".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Appointment of Member of the Government – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 11 May 1949".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Assignment of Departments— Statement by the Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil) – Wednesday, 7 March 1951".Houses of the Oireachtas.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Personal Statement by a Deputy – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil)".Houses of the Oireachtas.12 April 1951.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Adjournment Debate—Resignation of Minister – Dáil Éireann (13th Dáil)".Houses of the Oireachtas.12 April 1951.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 (Commencement) Order 1949".Irish Statute Book.4 February 1949.Retrieved16 March2020.
Further reading[edit]
- McCullagh, David (1998).A Makeshift Majority: The First Inter-Party Government, 1948-51.Dublin: Institute of Public Administration.ISBN978-1872002699.