Government_of_the_5th_Dáil
Government of the 5th Dáil
Governments of the Irish Free State June to October 1927
The 3rd executive council of the Irish Free State (23 June 1927 – 11 October 1927) was formed after the June 1927 general election to the 5th Dáil held on 9 June 1927. It was led by W. T. Cosgrave, leader of Cumann na nGaedheal, as President of the Executive Council, who had led the government since August 1922. It lasted 111 days.
3rd executive council of the Irish Free State | |
|---|---|
| Executive Council of the Irish Free State | |
| Date formed | 23 June 1927 |
| Date dissolved | 11 October 1927 |
| People and organisations | |
| King | George V |
| Governor-General | Tim Healy |
| President of the Executive Council | W. T. Cosgrave |
| Vice-President of the Executive Council |
|
| Total no. of members | 10 |
| Member party | Cumann na nGaedheal |
| Status in legislature | Minority Government |
| Opposition parties | |
| Opposition leaders |
|
| History | |
| Election(s) | June 1927 general election |
| Legislature term(s) | |
| Predecessor | 2nd executive council |
| Successor | 4th executive council |
The 5th Dáil first met on 23 June 1927. In the debate on the nomination of the President of the Executive Council, Cumann na nGaedheal leader and outgoing President W. T. Cosgrave was proposed, and this resolution was carried with 68 votes in favour and 22 against.[1] Cosgrave was then appointed as President of the Executive Council by Governor-General Tim Healy.[2]
| 23 June 1927 Nomination of W. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) as President of the Executive Council[3] Motion proposed by James Murphy and seconded by Peadar Doyle Absolute majority: 77/153 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Y Yes | Cumann na nGaedheal (44), Farmers' Party (11), Independents (13) | 68 / 153 |
| No | Labour Party (22) | 22 / 153 |
| Absent or Not voting | National League (8), Cumann na nGaedheal (2), Independents (1), Ceann Comhairle (1) | 12 / 153 |
| Abstentionist | Fianna Fáil (44), Sinn Féin (5), Independent (2) | 51 / 153 |
The members of the Executive Council were nominated by the president and approved by the Dáil by a vote of 66 to 31.[2] They were then appointed by the Governor General.[4]
The Executive Council appointed Parliamentary secretaries on the nomination of the President. The first three were appointed on 24 June 1927.[8]
After the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins on 10 July 1927, the Executive Council proposed the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill.[9] This legislation provided for the disqualification for five years of any member of the Oireachtas who did not take the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in Article 17 of the Constitution of the Irish Free State. After this legislation had passed both houses, the TDs elected for Fianna Fáil led by Éamon de Valera took the oath and entered the Dáil for the first time since the 1922 general election.[10]
On 16 August, Labour Party leader Thomas Johnson proposed a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council, which was defeated.[11]
| 16 August 1927 Motion of no confidence in the Executive Council[12] Motion proposed by Thomas Johnson (Lab) and seconded by Hugh Colohan (Lab) Absolute majority: 77/153 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Fianna Fáil (43), Labour Party (21), National League (6), Independent (1) | 71 / 153 |
 N No | Cumann na nGaedheal (45), Farmers' Party (11), Independents (15) | 71 / 153 |
| Absent | Labour Party (1), National League (1) | 2 / 153 |
| Vacant | 2 | 2 / 153 |
| Abstentionist | Sinn Féin (5), Independent (1) | 6 / 153 |
| Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes exercised his casting vote against the motion. | ||
On 24 August, Cumann na nGaedheal won two by-elections, and sought to capitalise on this success by calling a new general election seeking an increased mandated. The president sought a dissolution of the Dáil and a new election was held in September 1927.
- "Nomination Of President Of The Executive Council – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 June 1927. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "Nomination of Ministers, Members of Executive Council – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 June 1927. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "Nomination of President of the Executive Council – Votes – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 June 1927. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- "Appointment of Members of Executive Council – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 30 June 1927. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- "Nomination of Minister for Justice and Minister for External Affairs – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 July 1927. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- "Nomination of Vice-President of Executive Council – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 July 1927. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- "Minister for Justice and Minister for External Affairs – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 July 1927. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- "History of Government – Fifth Dáil – Parliamentary Secretaries". Government of Ireland. 27 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- "Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1927". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- "NEW DEPUTIES TAKE THEIR SEATS – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 12 August 1927. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- "Public Business. - No Confidence Motion – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil) – Vol. 20 No. 21". Houses of the Oireachtas. 16 August 1927. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- "Public Business. - No Confidence Motion – Votes – Dáil Éireann (5th Dáil)". 16 August 1927. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2023.