Government of the 16th Dáil
There were two governments of the 16th Dáil, which was elected at the 1957 general election held on 5 March. 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 was led by Éamon de Valera as Taoiseach, until his election as president of Ireland at the 1959 election. It lasted for from its appointment until de Valera's resignation on 17 June 1959, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 6 days until the appointment of its successor, giving a total of. The 9th government of Ireland was led by Seán Lemass as Taoiseach and lasted for. Both were single-party Fianna Fáil governments.
8th government of Ireland
Nomination of Taoiseach
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. De Valera was appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly.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. They were appointed by the president on the same day.Changes 16 May 1957
Appointment of Seán Moylan as minister on his nomination to the Seanad.!Office
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Changes 26 June 1957
Further appointment.!Office
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Changes 16 November 1957
Following the death of Seán Moylan.!Office
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Changes 27 November 1957
Following the death of Seán Moylan.!Office
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Changes 4 December 1957
Following the death of Seán Moylan.!Office
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Parliamentary Secretaries
On 21 March 1957, the Government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.Change 24 February 1958
Death of Beegan on 2 February 1958.Confidence in the government
On 29 October 1958, William Norton, leader of the Labour Party, tabled a vote of no confidence in the government. James Dillon and Liam Cosgrave of Fine Gael proposed an amendment to the motion. Both the amendment and the motion were defeated the following day on a vote of 54 to 71.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. 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.9th government of Ireland
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. Lemass was appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly. It was the first time there was a change of Taoiseach within a Dáil term.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. They were appointed by the president on 24 June 1959.Changes 27 July 1959
Gerard Bartley was appointed to government on 23 July and the changestook effect when the Department of Transport and Power was established.
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