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Government of the 16th Dáil

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There were two governments of the 16th Dáil, which was elected at the 1957 general election held on 5 March. The outgoing minority coalition government of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Clann na Talmhan had failed to be returned. The 8th government of Ireland (20 March 1957 – 23 June 1959) was led by Éamon de Valera as Taoiseach, until his election as president of Ireland at the 1959 election. It lasted for 820 days from its appointment until de Valera's resignation on 17 June 1959, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 6 days until the appointment of its successor, giving a total of 826. The 9th government of Ireland (23 June 1959 – 11 November 1961) was led by Seán Lemass as Taoiseach and lasted for 873 days. Both were single-party Fianna Fáil governments.

8th government of Ireland

[edit]
8th government of Ireland

Government of Ireland
Date formed20 March 1957
Date dissolved23 June 1959
People and organisations
PresidentSeán T. O'Kelly
TaoiseachÉamon de Valera
TánaisteSeán Lemass
Total no. of members13
Member partyFianna Fáil
Status in legislatureMajority government
Opposition partyFine Gael
Opposition leaderJohn A. Costello
History
Election1957 general election
Legislature terms
Predecessor7th government
Successor9th government

Nomination of Taoiseach

[edit]

The 16th Dáil first met on 20 March 1957. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Éamon de Valera was proposed and this motion was carried with 78 votes in favour and 53 votes against.[1] De Valera was appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly.[2]

20 March 1957
Nomination of Éamon de Valera (FF) as Taoiseach[3]
Motion proposed by Seán Lemass and seconded by Seán MacEntee
Absolute majority: 74/147
Vote Parties Votes
checkY Yes Fianna Fáil (76), Independent (2)
78 / 147
No Fine Gael (39), Labour Party (10), Clann na Talmhan (3), Independent (1)
53 / 147
Absent or
Not voting		 Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (2), Fine Gael (1), Labour Party (1), Clann na Poblachta (1), Independent (6)
12 / 147
Abstentionist Sinn Féin (4)
4 / 147

Members of the Government

[edit]

After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Éamon de Valera proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[4] They were appointed by the president on the same day.[5]

Office Name Term
Taoiseach Éamon de Valera 1957–1959
Tánaiste Seán Lemass 1957–1959
Minister for Industry and Commerce
Minister for Health Seán MacEntee 1957–1959
Minister for Finance James Ryan 1957–1959
Minister for External Affairs Frank Aiken 1957–1959
Minister for Justice Oscar Traynor 1957–1959
Minister for Local Government Paddy Smith 1957
Minister for Social Welfare 1957
Minister for Lands Erskine H. Childers 1957–1959
Minister for Education Jack Lynch 1957–1959
Minister for the Gaeltacht (Acting)
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs Neil Blaney 1957
Minister for Defence Kevin Boland 1957–1959
Minister for Agriculture Frank Aiken (Acting)

Changes 16 May 1957

[edit]

Appointment of Seán Moylan as minister on his nomination to the Seanad.[6][7]

Office Name Term
Minister for Agriculture Seán Moylan 1957

Changes 26 June 1957

[edit]

Further appointment.[8][9]

Office Name Term
Minister for the Gaeltacht Mícheál Ó Móráin 1957–1959

Changes 16 November 1957

[edit]

Following the death of Seán Moylan.[10][11]

Office Name Term
Minister for Agriculture Frank Aiken (acting)

Changes 27 November 1957

[edit]

Following the death of Seán Moylan.[12]

Office Name Term
Minister for Agriculture Paddy Smith 1957–1959
Minister for Local Government Neil Blaney 1957–1959
Minister for Social Welfare Seán MacEntee 1957–1959

Changes 4 December 1957

[edit]

Following the death of Seán Moylan.[13][14]

Office Name Term
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs John Ormonde 1957–1959

Parliamentary Secretaries

[edit]

On 21 March 1957, the Government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[5]

Name Office Term
Donnchadh Ó Briain Government Chief Whip 1957–1959
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1957–1959
Michael Kennedy Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Welfare 1957–1959
Patrick Beegan Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance 1957–Feb. 1958
Gerald Bartley Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce 1957–Feb. 1958

Change 24 February 1958

[edit]

Death of Beegan on 2 February 1958.[15]

Gerald Bartley Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance Feb. 1958–1959
Michael Hilliard Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce Feb. 1958–1959

Confidence in the government

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On 29 October 1958, William Norton, leader of the Labour Party, tabled a vote of no confidence in the government. James Dillon and Liam Cosgrave of Fine Gael proposed an amendment to the motion.[16] Both the amendment and the motion were defeated the following day on a vote of 54 to 71.[17]

Constitutional referendum

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The government proposed the Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill 1958, which would have altered the electoral system from proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote to first past the post. It was put to a referendum on 17 June 1959, the same date as the presidential election. It was defeated by a margin of 48.2% to 51.8% of votes cast.

Resignation

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On 17 June 1959, Éamon de Valera was elected as president of Ireland and he resigned as Taoiseach on that day.[18][19] Under Article 28.11 of the Constitution, all members of the government are deemed to have resigned on the resignation of the Taoiseach, but they continued to carry on their duties until the appointment of their successors.[20]

9th government of Ireland

[edit]
9th government of Ireland

9th Government of Ireland
Date formed23 June 1959
Date dissolved11 October 1961
People and organisations
PresidentÉamon de Valera
TaoiseachSeán Lemass
TánaisteSeán MacEntee
Total no. of members14
Member partyFianna Fáil
Status in legislatureMajority hovernment
Opposition partyFine Gael
Opposition leaderJames Dillon
History
Legislature terms
Predecessor8th government
Successor10th government

Éamon de Valera resigned as leader of Fianna Fáil after his election as president of Ireland and Seán Lemass was elected unopposed to succeed him on 22 June 1959.

Nomination of Taoiseach

[edit]

On 23 June 1959, in the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Seán Lemass was proposed. This motion was carried with 75 votes in favour to 51 votes against.[21] Lemass was appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly.[22] It was the first time there was a change of Taoiseach within a Dáil term.

23 June 1959
Nomination of Seán Lemass (FF) as Taoiseach[23]
Motion proposed by Seán MacEntee and seconded by James Ryan
Absolute majority: 74/147
Vote Parties Votes
checkY Yes Fianna Fáil (72), Independent (3)
75 / 147
No Fine Gael (37), Labour Party (9), Clann na Talmhan (3), Clann na Poblachta (1), Independent (1)
51 / 147
Absent or
Not voting		 Ceann Comhairle (1), Fianna Fáil (3), Fine Gael (3), Labour Party (2), Independent (5)
14 / 147
Abstentionist Sinn Féin (4)
4 / 147
Vacancies 3[24][19]
3 / 147

Members of the Government

[edit]

After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Seán Lemass proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[25] They were appointed by the president on 24 June 1959.[26]

Office Name Term
Taoiseach Seán Lemass 1959–1961
Tánaiste Seán MacEntee 1959–1961
Minister for Health
Minister for Social Welfare
Minister for Finance James Ryan 1959–1961
Minister for External Affairs Frank Aiken 1959–1961
Minister for Justice Oscar Traynor 1959–1961
Minister for Agriculture Paddy Smith 1959–1961
Minister for Lands Erskine H. Childers 1959–1961
Minister for Industry and Commerce Jack Lynch 1959–1961
Minister for Local Government Neil Blaney 1959–1961
Minister for Defence Kevin Boland 1959–1961
Minister for the Gaeltacht Mícheál Ó Móráin 1959
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs Michael Hilliard 1959–1961
Minister for Education Patrick Hillery 1959–1961

Changes 27 July 1959

[edit]

Gerard Bartley was appointed to government on 23 July and the changes
took effect when the Department of Transport and Power was established.[27][28][29]

Office Name Term
Minister for the Gaeltacht Gerald Bartley 1959–1961
Minister for Lands Mícheál Ó Móráin 1959–1961
Minister for Transport and Power Erskine H. Childers 1959–1961

Parliamentary Secretaries

[edit]

On 24 June 1959, the government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[26]

Name Office Term
Donnchadh Ó Briain Government Chief Whip 1959–1961
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1959–1961
Michael Kennedy Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Welfare 1959–1961
Gerald Bartley Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance June–July 1959

Change 24 July 1959

[edit]

Following the appointment of Gerard Bartley to government.[28]

Joseph Brennan Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance July 1959 – 1961

Change 9 May 1960

[edit]

Additional appointment[30]

Charles Haughey Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice 1960–1961

References

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  1. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 161 No. 1.
  2. ^ "Appointment of Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 161 No. 1. 20 March 1957. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 20 March 1957". Dáil Debates. Vol. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval". Dáil Debates. Vol. 161 No. 1. 20 March 1957. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Airi agus Rúnaithe Parlaiminte". Dáil Debates. Vol. 161 No. 2 (in Irish). 26 March 1957. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Nomination of Member of Government: Motion of Approval". Dáil Debates. Vol. 161 No. 11. 16 May 1957. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Ceapuchán Aire Talmhaíochta". Dáil Debates. Vol. 161 No. 11 (in Irish). 16 May 1957. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Ainmniú Comhalta den Rialtas—Tairiscint Chomhaontuithe". Dáil Debates. Vol. 163 No. 1. 26 June 1957.
  9. ^ "Ceapachán Aire na Gaeltachta". Dáil Debates. Vol. 163 No. 1. 26 June 1957.
  10. ^ "Bás Aire Talmhaíochta: Rún Comhbhróin". Dáil Debates. Vol. 164 No. 5 (in Irish). 20 November 1957.
  11. ^ "Assignment of Department of Agriculture". Dáil Debates. Vol. 164 No. 5. 20 November 1957.
  12. ^ "Ranna Stáit a Shannadh". Dáil Debates. Vol. 164 No. 7. 27 November 1957.
  13. ^ "Ainmniú Comhalta Den Rialtas: Tairiscint Chomhaontuithe". Dáil Debates. Vol. 164 No. 9 (in Irish). 4 December 1957. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  14. ^ "Ceapachán Aire Poist agus Telegrafa". Dáil Debates. Vol. 164 No. 10 (in Irish). 5 December 1957. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Rúnaithe Parlaiminte a Cheapadh". Dáil Debates. Vol. 165 No. 5 (in Irish). 26 February 1958. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  16. ^ "Committee of Selection - Unemployment and Emigration: Motion of No Confidence". Dáil Debates. Vol. 171 No. 2. 29 October 1958.; "Unemployment and Emigration: Motion of No Confidence (Resumed)". Oireachtas. 29 October 1958.; "Unemployment and Emigration: Motion of No Confidence (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. Vol. 171 No. 2. 29 October 1958.
  17. ^ "Unemployment and Emigration: Motion of No Confidence (Resumed) – Amendment put – Votes – 30 October 1958". Oireachtas. Retrieved 10 November 2020.; "Unemployment and Emigration: Motion of No Confidence (Resumed) – Main motion put – Votes – 30 October 1958". Oireachtas. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Resignation of Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 176 No. 1. 23 June 1959. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Election of President of Ireland". Dáil Debates. Vol. 176 No. 1. 23 June 1959. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Constitution of Ireland". Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 176 No. 1. 23 June 1959. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  22. ^ "Appointment of Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 176 No. 1. 23 June 1959. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  23. ^ "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Bás Teachtaí: Rún Cómhbhróin". Dáil Debates. Vol. 174 No. 1 (in Irish). 8 April 1959. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  25. ^ "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval". Dáil Debates. Vol. 176 No. 1. 23 June 1959. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries: Announcement by Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 176 No. 2. 30 June 1959. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval". Dáil Debates. Vol. 176 No. 13. 23 July 1959. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  28. ^ a b "Members of Government—Statement by the Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 177 No. 1. 21 October 1959. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  29. ^ Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1959 (Appointed Day) Order 1959 (S.I. No. 124 of 1959). Signed on 27 July 1959. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 24 August 2019.
  30. ^ "Appointment of Parliamentary Secretary: Announcement by Taoiseach". Dáil Debates. Vol. 181 No. 7. 10 May 1960.
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