Government of the 16th Dáil


There were two Governments of the 16th Dáil, which was elected at the general election held on 5 March 1957. 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, and the 9th Government of Ireland was led by Seán Lemass as Taoiseach. Both were single-party Fianna Fáil governments.
The 8th Government lasted for 819 days from its appointment until de Valera's resignation, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 6 days until the appointment of its successor. The 9th Government lasted for 872 days.

8th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of 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 then 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

Nomination of Seán Moylan on his nomination to the Seanad.
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Changes 26 June 1957

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Changes 16 November 1957

Following the death of Seán Moylan.
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Changes 27 November 1957

Following the death of Seán Moylan.
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Changes 4 December 1957

Following the death of Seán Moylan.
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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.

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 then 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 changes
took effect when the new Department of Transport and Power was established.
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Parliamentary Secretaries

On 24 June 1959, the government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Change 24 July 1959

Reshuffle following creation of position of Minister for Transport and Power.

Footnotes