Government of the 15th Dáil
The Government of the 15th Dáil or the 7th Government of Ireland (2 June 1954 – 20 March 1957) was the government of Ireland formed after the general election held on 18 May 1954. Commonly known as the Second Inter-Party Government, it was a minority government of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Clann na Talmhan. Clann na Poblachta, which had been in the First Inter-Party Government (1948–51) with these parties, supported the government but did form part of it.
Government of the 15th Dáil | |
|---|---|
| 7th Government of Ireland | |
| Date formed | 2 June 1954 |
| Date dissolved | 20 March 1957 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Seán T. O'Kelly |
| Taoiseach | John A. Costello |
| Tánaiste | William Norton |
| Total no. of members | 13 (14 from 1956) |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Coalition |
| Opposition party | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition leader | Éamon de Valera |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 1954 general election |
| Legislature term(s) | |
| Predecessor | 6th Government |
| Successor | 8th Government |
The 7th Government lasted for 1,023 days.
7th Government of Ireland
Nomination of Taoiseach
The 15th Dáil first met on 2 June 1954. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Éamon de Valera and former Taoiseach John A. Costello of Fine Gael were both proposed. The nomination of de Valera was defeated with 66 votes cast in favour and 78 against, while the nomination of Costello was approved by 79 to 66.[1] Costello was appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly.[2]
| 2 June 1954 Nomination of John A. Costello (FG) as Taoiseach[3] Motion proposed by Richard Mulcahy and seconded by William Norton Absolute majority: 74/147 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Yes | Fine Gael (50), Labour Party (18), Clann na Talmhan (5), Clann na Poblachta (3), Independents (3) | 79 / 147 |
| No | Fianna Fáil (65), Independent (1) | 66 / 147 |
| Not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1), Independent (1) | 2 / 147 |
Members of the Government
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
On 3 June 1954, the Government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[5]
Foreign Policy
Ireland joined the United Nations in 1955.
Dissolution of the Dáil
The government ended when the Clann na Poblachta withdrew its support in 1957. Fine Gael and Labour had also both lost seats in by-elections to Fianna Fáil the previous year. Costello sought a dissolution of the Dáil on 4 February 1957 which was granted by the president, leading to a general election on 9 March 1957.
References
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 2 June 1954. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Appointment of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 2 June 1954. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – 2 June 1954". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 2 June 1954. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 25 June 1954. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- "Aireacht na Gaeltachta - Aire agus Rúnaí Parlaiminte a Cheapadh – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). 3 July 1956. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1956 (Appointed Day) Order 1956 (S.I. No. 152 of 1956). Signed on 28 June 1956. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 25 August 2019.
- "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 24 October 1956. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Minister for Gaeltacht—Statement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 24 October 1956. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Death of Parliamentary Secretary – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 1 March 1956. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- "History of Government – Fifteenth Dáil". Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2021.