Government of the 15th Dáil
Irish Government from 1954 to 1957
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 7th government of Ireland (2 June 1954 – 20 March 1957), commonly known as the second inter-party government, was the government of Ireland formed after the 1954 general election to the 15th Dáil held on 18 May. 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 (1948–1951) with these parties, supported the government but did not form part of it. It lasted for 2 years, 291 days.
7th government of Ireland (Second interparty government) | |
|---|---|
 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 | Minority coalition 73 / 147 (50%)
|
| Opposition party | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition leader | Éamon de Valera |
| History | |
| Election | 1954 general election |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 6th government |
| Successor | 8th government |
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.