Government of the 4th Dáil


The 2nd executive council of the Irish Free State was formed after the general election to the 4th Dáil held on 27 August 1923. It was a minority Cumann na nGaedheal government led by W. T. Cosgrave as President of the Executive Council. It lasted lasted.

President of the Executive Council

The 4th Dáil first met on 19 September 1923. The nomination of W. T. Cosgrave as President of the Executive Council was proposed by Richard Mulcahy and seconded by William Magennis. It was approved by the Dáil and Cosgrave was re-appointed by the governor-general.

Members of the Executive Council

The members of the Executive Council were proposed by the president and approved by the Dáil on 20 September 1923.

Change on 20 March 1924

Richard Mulcahy resigned after criticism by the Executive Council
of his handling of the Army Mutiny.
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Change on 4 April 1924

Joseph McGrath resigned on 7 March 1924 because of dissatisfaction with
government attitude to IRAO army officers.
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Change on 21 November 1924

Permanent Minister for Defence.
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Change on 28 January 1926

Eoin MacNeill resigned in November 1925 after a leak of the report of the Irish Boundary Commission
was published in a newspaper. MacNeill had represented the Free State on the commission.
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Ministers not members of the Executive Council

Extern Ministers were appointed by the Dáil on 10 October.

Parliamentary secretaries

The Executive Council appointed Parliamentary secretaries, with Daniel McCarthy continuing as Chief Whip from the beginning of the term.

Appointment 21 April 1924

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Appointment 1 December 1924

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Change 19 June 1924

Following the resignation of Daniel McCarthy from the Dáil.
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Appointment 15 January 1925

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Change 10 May 1926

Following the appointment of John O'Sullivan to the Executive Council in January.
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Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924

The Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 came into effect on 2 June 1924. On this date, the following ministerial titles were renamed:
Old titleNew title
Minister for Home AffairsMinister for Justice
Minister for Local GovernmentMinister for Local Government and Public Health
Minister for AgricultureMinister for Lands and Agriculture
Postmaster-GeneralMinister for Posts and Telegraphs

Amendments to the Constitution of the Irish Free State

The following amendments to the Constitution of the Irish Free State were proposed by the Executive Council and passed by the Oireachtas:Amendment No. 1 : Provided that the first Senators would vacate office in December 1925, made changes relating to the terms of office of senators, and the date on which Seanad elections were to be held.Amendment No. 3 : Removed the requirement that the day of any general election would be declared a public holiday.Amendment No. 4 : Extended the maximum term of the Dáil from four to six years.Amendment No. 2 : Introduced a system of automatic re-election of the Ceann Comhairle in a general election.Amendment No. 5 : Increased the maximum membership of the Executive Council from seven to twelve members.