Government of the 5th Dáil


The 3rd executive council of the Irish Free State 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.

Nomination of President of the 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. Cosgrave was then appointed as President of the Executive Council by Governor-General Tim Healy.

Members of the Executive Council

The members of the Executive Council were nominated by the president and approved by the Dáil by a vote of 66 to 31. They were then appointed by the Governor General.

Changes 14 July 1927

Following the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins.
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Parliamentary secretaries

The Executive Council appointed Parliamentary secretaries on the nomination of the President. The first three were appointed on 24 June 1927.

Appointment 18 August 1927

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Actions of the government

After the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins on 10 July 1927, the Executive Council proposed the Electoral Bill. 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.

Confidence in the government

On 16 August, Labour Party leader Thomas Johnson proposed a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council, which was defeated.

Dissolution

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.