Government of the 16th Dáil
There were two Governments of the 16th Dáil, which was elected at the general election held on 5 March 1957. 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, and the 9th Government of Ireland (23 June 1959 – 11 November 1961) was led by Seán Lemass as Taoiseach. Both were single-party Fianna Fáil governments.
The 8th Government lasted for 819 days from its appointment until de Valera's resignation, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 6 days until the appointment of its successor. The 9th Government lasted for 872 days.
8th Government of Ireland
| Government of the 16th Dáil | |
|---|---|
| 8th Government of Ireland | |
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| Date formed | 20 March 1957 |
| Date dissolved | 23 June 1959 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Seán T. O'Kelly |
| Taoiseach | Éamon de Valera |
| Tánaiste | Seán Lemass |
| Total no. of members | 13 |
| Member party | Fianna Fáil |
| Status in legislature | Majority Government |
| Opposition party | Fine Gael |
| Opposition leader | John A. Costello |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 1957 general election |
| Legislature term(s) | 16th Dáil 9th Seanad |
| Predecessor | 7th Government |
| Successor | 9th Government |
Nomination of Taoiseach
The members of 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 then 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 McEntee Absolute majority: 74/147 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 | 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
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 | 1957–59 | |
| Tánaiste | Seán Lemass | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Industry and Commerce | |||
| Minister for Health | Seán MacEntee | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Finance | James Ryan | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for External Affairs | Frank Aiken | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Justice | Oscar Traynor | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Local Government | Paddy Smith | 1957 | |
| Minister for Social Welfare | 1957 | ||
| Minister for Lands | Erskine H. Childers | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Education | Jack Lynch | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for the Gaeltacht | (Acting) | ||
| Minister for Posts and Telegraphs | Neil Blaney | 1957 | |
| Minister for Defence | Kevin Boland | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Agriculture | Frank Aiken | (Acting) | |
Changes 16 May 1957Nomination of Seán Moylan on his nomination to the Seanad.[6][7] | |||
| Office | Name | Term | |
| Minister for Agriculture | Seán Moylan | 1957 | |
Changes 26 June 1957 | |||
| Office | Name | Term | |
| Minister for the Gaeltacht | Mícheál Ó Móráin | 1957–59 | |
Changes 16 November 1957Following the death of Seán Moylan. | |||
| Office | Name | Term | |
| Minister for Agriculture | Frank Aiken | (acting) | |
Changes 27 November 1957Following the death of Seán Moylan. | |||
| Office | Name | Term | |
| Minister for Agriculture | Paddy Smith | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Local Government | Neil Blaney | 1957–59 | |
| Minister for Social Welfare | Seán MacEntee | 1957–59 | |
Changes 4 December 1957 | |||
| Office | Name | Term | |
| Minister for Posts and Telegraphs | John Ormonde | 1957–59 | |
Parliamentary Secretaries
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 1958Death of Beegan.[10] | |||
| 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 | |
Constitutional referendum
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
On 17 June 1959, Éamon de Valera was elected as president of Ireland and he resigned as Taoiseach on that day.[11][12] 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.[13]
9th Government of Ireland
| Government of the 16th Dáil | |
|---|---|
| 9th Government of Ireland | |
 | |
| Date formed | 23 June 1959 |
| Date dissolved | 11 November 1961 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Éamon de Valera |
| Taoiseach | Seán Lemass |
| Tánaiste | Seán MacEntee |
| Total no. of members | 14 |
| Member party | Fianna Fáil |
| Status in legislature | Majority Government |
| Opposition party | Fine Gael |
| Opposition leader | James Dillon |
| History | |
| Legislature term(s) | 16th Dáil 9th Seanad |
| Predecessor | 8th Government |
| Successor | 10th 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
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.[14] Lemass was then appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly.[15] 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[16] Motion proposed by Seán McEntee and seconded by James Ryan Absolute majority: 74/147 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 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[17][12] | 3 / 147 |
Members of the Government
After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Seán Lemass proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[18] They were appointed by the president on 24 June 1959.[19]
Parliamentary Secretaries
On 24 June 1959, the government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[19]
| 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 | Jun. 1959–Jul. 1959 | |
| Charles Haughey | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice | 1959–1961 | |
Change 24 July 1959Reshuffle following creation of position of Minister for Transport and Power.[21] | |||
| Joseph Brennan | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance | Jul. 1959–1961 | |
Footnotes
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 20 March 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Appointment of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 20 March 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 20 March 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 20 March 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Airi agus Rúnaithe Parlaiminte – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 26 March 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Nomination of Member of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 16 May 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Ceapuchán Aire Talmhaíochta – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 16 May 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Ainmniú Comhalta Den Rialtas: Tairiscint Chomhaontuithe – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 4 December 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Ceapachán Aire Poist agus Telegrafa – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Thursday, 5 December 1957". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Rúnaithe Parlaiminte a Cheapadh – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 26 February 1958". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- "Resignation of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- "Election of President of Ireland – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Constitution of Ireland". Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- "Appointment of Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- "Nomination of Taoiseach – Votes – (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Bás Teachtaí: Rún Cómhbhróin – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 8 April 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas (in Irish). Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- "Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries: Announcement by Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Tuesday, 30 June 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Nomination of Members of Government: Motion of Approval – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Thursday, 23 July 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- "Members of Government—Statement by the Taoiseach – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Wednesday, 21 October 1959". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1959 (Appointed Day) Order 1959". Irish Statute Book. 27 July 1959. Retrieved 24 August 2019.