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 | |
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| 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 |
| Member parties | Fine Gael Labour Party Clann na Talmhan |
| Status in legislature | Coalition |
| Opposition party | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition leader | Éamon de Valera |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 1954 general election |
| Legislature term(s) | 15th Dáil 8th Seanad |
| Predecessor | 6th Government |
| Successor | 8th Government |
The 7th Government lasted for 1,022 days.
7th Government of Ireland
Nomination of Taoiseach
The members of 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 then 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 |
|---|---|---|
 | 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]
| Name | Office | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denis J. O'Sullivan | Government Chief Whip | 1954–1957 | Fine Gael | |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence | ||||
| John O'Donovan | Parliamentary Secretary to the Government | 1954–1957 | Fine Gael | |
| Michael Donnellan | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance | 1954–1957 | Clann na Talmhan | |
| William Davin | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government | 1954–1956 | Labour Party | |
| Dan Spring | 1956–1957 | Labour Party | ||
| Oliver J. Flanagan | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture | 1954–1957 | Fine Gael | |
| Patrick Crotty | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce | 1954–1957 | Fine Gael | |
| Patrick Lindsay | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Gaeltacht | 1954–1956 | Fine Gael | |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education | ||||
Foreign Policy
Ireland joined the United Nations in 1955.
Dissolution of the Dáil
The government ended when the Clann na Poblachta withdrew their support in 1957. Costello sought a dissolution of the Dáil which was granted by the president, leading to a general election on 9 March 1957.
References
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Wednesday, 2 June 1954". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Appointment of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Wednesday, 2 June 1954". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Wednesday, 2 June 1954". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Wednesday, 2 June 1954". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Tuesday, 25 June 1954". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- "Aireacht na Gaeltachta. - Aire agus Rúnaí Parlaiminte a Cheapadh – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Tuesday, 3 July 1956". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1956 (Appointed Day) Order 1956". Irish Statute Book. 28 June 1956. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Nomination of Members of Governmen: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Wednesday, 24 October 1956". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Minister for Gaeltacht—Statement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Wednesday, 24 October 1956". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 25 August 2019.