Irish general election, 1948
Encyclopedia
The Irish general election of 1948 was held on 4 February 1948. The 147 newly elected members of the 13th Dáil
assembled on 18 February when the First Inter-Party government
in the history of the Irish state was appointed.
The general election took place in 40 parliamentary constituencies
throughout Ireland
for 147 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann
. For this election the membership of the Dáil was increased to 147 seats, an increase of 9 since the previous election. The 1948 general election is considered an important election in 20th century Ireland, as it paved the way for the First Inter-Party Government
.
Éamon de Valera
, to stop the rise of a new party, Clann na Poblachta
. In 1947 the rapid rise of Clann na Poblachta threatened the position of Fianna Fáil
. The government of Éamon de Valera introduced the Electoral Amendment Act, 1947 which increased the size of the Dáil from 138 to 147 and increased the number of three-seat constituencies from fifteen to twenty-two. The result was described by historian Tim Pat Coogan
as "a blatant attempt at gerrymander
which no Six County
Unionist
could have bettered."
A number of other issues were raised on the campaign that the parties didn't foresee. Fianna Fáil
had enjoyed an uninterrupted sixteen years of dominance in government. Many people believed that the party had become stale and there was a strong desire for a fresh change. Although World War II
had ended three years earlier, rationing
continued, and massive inflation plagued the economy. A prolonged teachers strike during the lifetime of the previous Dáil damaged the government due to its inability to settle the dispute. Bad weather added to the woes of the farmers, and poor harvests resulted in anger at the ballot box. Allegations that Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass
were involved in bribery and corruption raised questions about certain public officials.
Despite these issues, Fianna Fáil still expected to retain power. This prospect seemed very likely; however, an unlikely coalition was soon to be formed.
When the votes were counted Fianna Fáil remained the largest party in spite of dropping 8 seats. Éamon de Valera's gerrymandering tactics succeeded in limiting the seats won by Clann na Poblachta, which secured ten seats instead of the nineteen they would have received proportional to their vote. The other parties remained roughly the same, with Fine Gael
only gaining an extra seat. Fianna Fáil remained the largest party and it looked as if it were the only one capable of forming a government.
agreements with other parties when it was short of an outright majority. This time, however, de Valera was unable to reach an agreement with National Labour and the Independents with a view to forming a government. It seemed unlikely that the other political parties could join together to oust Fianna Fáil. However, a shared dislike of Fianna Fáil and de Valera overcame all other difficulties to knock Fianna Fáil from power for the first time in 16 years.
As the largest party in the government Fine Gael had the task of providing a nominee for Taoiseach
. The natural choice was the party leader, Richard Mulcahy
. However, republicans
such as Seán MacBride
refused to serve under the man who had been the commander of the Free State
forces during the civil war
. Since the other parties would have been 17 seats short of a majority (and indeed, would have been 11 seats behind Fianna Fáil) without MacBride, Mulcahy unselfishly stepped aside in favour of John A. Costello
, a relatively unknown politician and former Attorney General
. Mulcahy, who remained nominal leader of Fine Gael, became Minister for Education. William Norton
, the leader of the Labour Party
became Tánaiste
and Minister for Social Welfare.
On paper, this new coalition government looked weak and seemed unlikely to last. It consisted of a motley collection of political parties. There were young and old politicians, republicans and Free Staters, conservatives and socialists. The government's survival depended on a united dislike of Fianna Fáil, the skill of Costello as Taoiseach and the independence of various ministers.
In all the coalition lasted over three years and was successful in several areas.
Members of the 13th Dáil
This is a list of the members who were elected to the 13th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. These TDs were elected at the 1948 general election on 4 February 1948 and met on 18 February 1948. The 13th Dáil was dissolved by President Seán T. O'Kelly, at the request of...
assembled on 18 February when the First Inter-Party government
Government of the 13th Dáil
The 13th Dáil was elected at the 1948 general election on 4 February 1948 and first met on 18 February when the 5th Government of Ireland was appointed. The 13th Dáil lasted for 1,211 days....
in the history of the Irish state was appointed.
The general election took place in 40 parliamentary constituencies
Parliamentary constituencies in the Republic of Ireland
The lower house of the Oireachtas , Dáil Éireann, contains 166 Teachtaí Dála , representing 43 parliamentary constituencies throughout the Republic of Ireland. Depending on its size, each constituency must have at least 3 members and a maximum of five members. The most recent ratio indicates that...
throughout Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
for 147 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
. For this election the membership of the Dáil was increased to 147 seats, an increase of 9 since the previous election. The 1948 general election is considered an important election in 20th century Ireland, as it paved the way for the First Inter-Party Government
Government of the 13th Dáil
The 13th Dáil was elected at the 1948 general election on 4 February 1948 and first met on 18 February when the 5th Government of Ireland was appointed. The 13th Dáil lasted for 1,211 days....
.
Campaign
The general election of 1948 caused by a desire by the TaoiseachTaoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
, to stop the rise of a new party, Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta , abbreviated CnaP, was an Irish republican and social democratic political party founded by former Irish Republican Army Chief of Staff Seán MacBride in 1946.-Foundation:...
. In 1947 the rapid rise of Clann na Poblachta threatened the position of Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
. The government of Éamon de Valera introduced the Electoral Amendment Act, 1947 which increased the size of the Dáil from 138 to 147 and increased the number of three-seat constituencies from fifteen to twenty-two. The result was described by historian Tim Pat Coogan
Tim Pat Coogan
Timothy Patrick Coogan is an Irish historical writer, broadcaster and newspaper columnist. He served as editor of the Irish Press newspaper from 1968 to 1987...
as "a blatant attempt at gerrymander
Gerrymandering
In the process of setting electoral districts, gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan, incumbent-protected districts...
which no Six County
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
Unionist
Unionism in Ireland
Unionism in Ireland is an ideology that favours the continuation of some form of political union between the islands of Ireland and Great Britain...
could have bettered."
A number of other issues were raised on the campaign that the parties didn't foresee. Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
had enjoyed an uninterrupted sixteen years of dominance in government. Many people believed that the party had become stale and there was a strong desire for a fresh change. Although World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
had ended three years earlier, rationing
Rationing
Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services. Rationing controls the size of the ration, one's allotted portion of the resources being distributed on a particular day or at a particular time.- In economics :...
continued, and massive inflation plagued the economy. A prolonged teachers strike during the lifetime of the previous Dáil damaged the government due to its inability to settle the dispute. Bad weather added to the woes of the farmers, and poor harvests resulted in anger at the ballot box. Allegations that Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass
Seán Lemass
Seán Francis Lemass was one of the most prominent Irish politicians of the 20th century. He served as Taoiseach from 1959 until 1966....
were involved in bribery and corruption raised questions about certain public officials.
Despite these issues, Fianna Fáil still expected to retain power. This prospect seemed very likely; however, an unlikely coalition was soon to be formed.
Result
|}- First Inter-party government formed.
When the votes were counted Fianna Fáil remained the largest party in spite of dropping 8 seats. Éamon de Valera's gerrymandering tactics succeeded in limiting the seats won by Clann na Poblachta, which secured ten seats instead of the nineteen they would have received proportional to their vote. The other parties remained roughly the same, with Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
only gaining an extra seat. Fianna Fáil remained the largest party and it looked as if it were the only one capable of forming a government.
Formation of the Coalition
The election left de Valera six seats short of a majority in the 147 seat Dáil. Fianna Fáil had long refused to enter a formal coalition with another party, instead preferring confidence and supplyConfidence and supply
In a parliamentary democracy confidence and supply are required for a government to hold power. A confidence and supply agreement is an agreement that a minor party or independent member of parliament will support the government in motions of confidence and appropriation votes by voting in favour...
agreements with other parties when it was short of an outright majority. This time, however, de Valera was unable to reach an agreement with National Labour and the Independents with a view to forming a government. It seemed unlikely that the other political parties could join together to oust Fianna Fáil. However, a shared dislike of Fianna Fáil and de Valera overcame all other difficulties to knock Fianna Fáil from power for the first time in 16 years.
As the largest party in the government Fine Gael had the task of providing a nominee for Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
. The natural choice was the party leader, Richard Mulcahy
Richard Mulcahy
Richard James Mulcahy was an Irish politician, army general and commander in chief, leader of Fine Gael and Cabinet Minister...
. However, republicans
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
such as Seán MacBride
Seán MacBride
Seán MacBride was an Irish government minister and prominent international politician as well as a Chief of Staff of the IRA....
refused to serve under the man who had been the commander of the Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
forces during the civil war
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
. Since the other parties would have been 17 seats short of a majority (and indeed, would have been 11 seats behind Fianna Fáil) without MacBride, Mulcahy unselfishly stepped aside in favour of John A. Costello
John A. Costello
John Aloysius Costello , a successful barrister, was one of the main legal advisors to the government of the Irish Free State after independence, Attorney General of Ireland from 1926–1932 and Taoiseach from 1948–1951 and 1954–1957....
, a relatively unknown politician and former Attorney General
Attorney General of Ireland
The Attorney General is a constitutional officer who is the official adviser to the Government of Ireland in matters of law. He is in effect the chief law officer in Ireland. The Attorney General is not a member of the Government but does participate in cabinet meetings when invited and attends...
. Mulcahy, who remained nominal leader of Fine Gael, became Minister for Education. William Norton
William Norton
William Norton was an Irish Labour Party politician, and leader of the party from 1932 to 1960.Norton was born in Dublin in 1900. He joined the postal service in 1916. By 1920 he was a prominent member in the trade union movement in Ireland. From 1924 to 1948 he served as secretary of the Post...
, the leader of the Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
became Tánaiste
Tánaiste
The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
and Minister for Social Welfare.
On paper, this new coalition government looked weak and seemed unlikely to last. It consisted of a motley collection of political parties. There were young and old politicians, republicans and Free Staters, conservatives and socialists. The government's survival depended on a united dislike of Fianna Fáil, the skill of Costello as Taoiseach and the independence of various ministers.
In all the coalition lasted over three years and was successful in several areas.
First time TDs
- Noël BrowneNoel BrowneNoël Christopher Browne was an Irish politician and doctor. He holds the distinction of being one of only five Teachtaí Dála to be appointed Minister on their first day in the Dáil. His controversial Mother and Child Scheme in effect brought down the First Inter-Party Government of John A...
- James CollinsJames Collins (Irish politician)James Collins was an Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick West in the 1948 General Election and at each election until his death in 1967. He was succeeded in the by-election of November 1967 by his son Gerry Collins.Another son, Michael J....
- Seán CollinsSeán Collins (politician)Seán Collins was an Irish Fine Gael politician. A barrister, Collins was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork West constituency at the 1948 general election and retained his seat in each election until losing it in the 1957 general election...
- Patrick CrottyPatrick CrottyPatrick J. Crotty was an Irish Fine Gael party politician who served for twenty-one years as TD for the constituency of Carlow–Kilkenny....
- Michael DavernMichael DavernMichael J. Davern was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Teachta Dála for Tipperary South from 1948 to 1965.He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in the 1948 general election, sitting in the 13th Dáil...
- Dan DesmondDan Desmond"Dan" Desmond was an Irish Labour Party politician and Teachta Dála for seventeen years.Desmond first stood for election to Dáil Éireann at the 1944 general election, in the Cork South East constituency, where he was defeated, winning barely 5% of the first-preference votes...
- Seán Dunne
- Joseph HughesJoseph Hughes (politician)Joseph Hughes was an Irish Fine Gael party politician.A farmer before entering politics, he was elected at the 1948 general election as Teachta Dála for Carlow–Kilkenny, and held the seat until his death in 1960, aged 54...
- Seán KeaneSeán Keane (Irish politician)Seán Keane was an Irish Labour Party politician and publican. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Labour Party Teachta Dála for the Cork East constituency at the 1948 general election and was re-elected at the 1951 general election...
- Michael F. KittMichael F. KittMichael F. Kitt, Snr was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and long-serving TD.He was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time at the 1948 general election for Galway North, but lost his seat at the next election in 1951, and failed to be elected again in the 1954 general election...
- Robert LahiffeRobert LahiffeRobert Lahiffe was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and farmer. He served in the Oireachtas for 7 years as a Teachta Dála , and then as a senator for 8 years....
- Con LehaneCon Lehane (Irish republican)Con Lehane was a left-wing nationalist, a 1930s member of the IRA Army Council, solicitor, and Dáil Éireann representative, elected in the 1948 general election for one term for Clann na Poblachta for the Dublin South Central constituency. He lost his seat at the 1951 general election...
- Patrick LehanePatrick LehanePatrick Desmond Lehane was an Irish politician. A farmer by profession, he was an unsuccessful candidate at the 1943 and 1944 general elections for the Cork South East constituency. He first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1948 general election as a Clann na Talmhan Teachta Dála for the Cork South...
- Jack LynchJack LynchJohn Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
- Patrick McGrathPatrick McGrath (Irish politician)Patrick McGrath was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He represented Cork Borough as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála in Dáil Éireann between 1946 and 1956. He served as Lord Mayor of Cork between 1952 and 1956...
- Jack McQuillanJack McQuillanJack McQuillan was an Irish politician, trade union official and army officer.He was born in Ballyforan, County Roscommon in 1920. He was a member of the Roscommon Gaelic football team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1943 and 1944...
- Patrick MaguirePatrick MaguirePatrick J. Maguire was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. A medical practitioner, he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Monaghan constituency at the 1948 general election, and was re-elected at the 1951 general election. He did not contest the 1954 general election.-References:...
- Patrick O'GormanPatrick O'GormanPatrick James O'Gorman was an Irish Fine Gael politician. A shopkeeper, he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork East constituency at the 1948 general election, and was re-elected at the 1951 general election. He lost his seat at the 1954 general election but was subsequently...
- Michael O'HigginsMichael O'HigginsMichael Joseph O'Higgins was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as a member of the Oireachtas for nearly thirty years....
- Tom O'HigginsTom O'HigginsThomas Francis O'Higgins was an Irish Fine Gael politician, a barrister and a judge.Tom O'Higgins was born in Cork in 1916. He was the son of Thomas F. O'Higgins and the nephew of Kevin O'Higgins...
- John OrmondeJohn OrmondeJohn Ormonde was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at a by-election in 1947 as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Waterford. In 1957 he joined the cabinet of Éamon de Valera as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs...
- Joseph RoddyJoseph RoddyJoseph Roddy was an Irish Fine Gael politician from County Leitrim.A Company Director and farmer, Roddy was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála in the 1948 general election for the Sligo-Leitrim constituency. He retained his seat until losing it at the 1957 general election...
- Eamonn RooneyEamonn RooneyÉamon Rooney was an Irish Fine Gael party politician who served as a member of the Oireachtas for twenty-one years....
- Michael SheehanMichael Sheehan (Irish politician)Michael Sheehan was an Irish politician and company director. Sheehan was elected to Dáil Éireann as an independent Teachta Dála at the 1948 general election for the Cork Borough constituency. He lost his seat at the 1951 general election. He also served as Lord Mayor of Cork from...
- Gerard SweetmanGerard SweetmanGerard Sweetman was an Irish Fine Gael politician and solicitor.-Family and childhood:Hugh Gerard Sweetman was born on 10 June 1908 to a comfortably well-off Dublin family...
- John Tully
- Thomas Walsh
Re-elected TDs
- John EsmondeSir John Esmonde, 14th BaronetSir John Lymbrick Esmonde, 14th Baronet was an Irish nationalist politician who served as Member of Parliament in the Parliament of the United Kingdom and later as a Teachta Dála in Dáil Éireann....
- James HickeyJames Hickey (Irish politician)James Hickey was an Irish Labour Party politician who joined the short-lived breakaway National Labour Party.Hickey first stood for the Dáil in the 1937 general election in the Cork Borough constituency, but narrowly missed being elected...
Outgoing TDs
- William BroderickWilliam BroderickWilliam Joseph Broderick was an Irish politician and farmer. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Cumann na nGaedheal Teachta Dála for the Cork East constituency at the 1932 general election. He was re-elected at the 1933 general election but lost his seat at the 1937 general election...
(Retired) - Eamonn CooganEamonn CooganEamonn Coogan was an Irish Fine Gael politician, barrister and Deputy Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. He was born in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Kilkenny constituency at the 1944 general election. He died during the 1948 general...
(Deceased) - Frank DalyFrank DalyFrancis Joseph "Frank" Daly was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork Borough constituency at the 1943 general election, and was re-elected at the 1944 general election. He did not contest the 1948 general election. He served as Lord Mayor...
(Retired) - Andrew FogartyAndrew FogartyAndrew Fogarty was an Irish politician and farmer. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Tipperary constituency at the June 1927 general election. He was re-elected at each subsequent general election until lost his seat at the 1948 general election. He was...
(Lost seat) - Walter FurlongWalter FurlongWalter Furlong was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was elected on his second attempt, to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork Borough constituency at the 1944 general election...
(Lost seat) - James HughesJames Hughes (Irish politician)James Hughes was an Irish Fine Gael politician. A farmer, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Carlow–Kildare constituency at the 1938 general election. He was re-elected at the 1943 and 1944 general elections. He died in 1948 during the course of the 12th Dáil, but no...
(Deceased) - Frank LoughmanFrank LoughmanFrank Loughman was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and pharmaceutical chemist who served as a Teachta Dála and Senator from the 1930s to the 1960s....
(Lost seat) - Fionán Lynch (Resigned on appointment as a judge)
- Peter O'LoghlenPeter O'LoghlenPeter Joseph O'Loghlen was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. A publican, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Clare constituency at the 1938 general election. He was lost his Dáil seat at the 1943 general election but was nominated by the Taoiseach to the 4th Seanad. He...
(Retired) - John O'ConnorJohn O'Connor (Irish politician)John S. O'Connor was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. A solicitor, he was elected on his second attempt, to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Dublin North West constituency at the 1944 general election. He lost his Dáil seat at the 1948 general election.-References:...
(Lost seat) - Patrick ShanahanPatrick ShanahanPatrick Shanahan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.He was elected to the 12th Dáil as a TD for the Clare constituency in the December 1945 by-election to succeed Patrick Burke. He lost his seat in the 1948 general election.He died in 2000, aged 91.-External links:**...
(Lost seat) - Leo SkinnerLeo SkinnerLeo Baptist Skinner was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. A solicitor, he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Cork North constituency at the 1943 general election, and was re-elected at the 1944 general election. He lost his seat at the 1948 general election. He was appointed a...
(Lost seat) - Laurence WalshLaurence WalshLaurence Joseph Walsh was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. A farmer and merchant, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Louth constituency at the 1937 general election. He was re-elected at the 1938 general election but lost his seat at the 1943 general...
(Lost seat)
See also
- Members of the 13th DáilMembers of the 13th DáilThis is a list of the members who were elected to the 13th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. These TDs were elected at the 1948 general election on 4 February 1948 and met on 18 February 1948. The 13th Dáil was dissolved by President Seán T. O'Kelly, at the request of...
- Government of the 13th DáilGovernment of the 13th DáilThe 13th Dáil was elected at the 1948 general election on 4 February 1948 and first met on 18 February when the 5th Government of Ireland was appointed. The 13th Dáil lasted for 1,211 days....
- Parliamentary Secretaries of the 13th DáilParliamentary Secretaries of the 13th DáilOn 18 February 1948 the 5th Government of Ireland was officially appointed by Dáil Éireann. The new inter-party government was led by the Taoiseach John A. Costello, who appointed the following Parliamentary Secretaries.-Parliamentary Secretaries:-See also:...