Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures (Ireland)
Encyclopedia
The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures was the title of Frank Aiken
as a member of the Government of Ireland during The Emergency — the state of emergency
in operation in independent Ireland
during World War II
. The Minister was intended to handle Civil Defence and related measures, allowing the Minister for Defence
to concentrate on matters relating to the regular Army
. The office was also responsible for handling wartime censorship
.
Technically, Aiken was a minister without portfolio
, as there was no Department of State
corresponding to his brief, although there was an Office of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939, which allows for ministers without portfolio, also allows such a minister to have a specific style or title. In fact, Aiken had been appointed on 8 September 1939, and the Act was passed on 21 December 1939, backdated to 8 September. The Minister for Supplies
, who did have a corresponding Department of State, was established on the same dates. The section in the Act on ministers without portfolio was seen by Richard Mulcahy
as designed to safeguard the legality of Aiken's office.
Taoiseach
Éamon de Valera
explained the reasoning behind the ministry:
The Minister received functions delegated by other ministers, as provided for by section 6 of the Emergency Powers Act 1939
. Aiken enforced stringent censorship
of news, and of material potentially sympathetic to the Allies
, in accordance with Ireland's neutrality
. He was also responsible for air raid
precautions, delegated by the Minister for Defence. Seán Moylan
, Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister for Defence, served also as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures.
In April 1941, Aiken went to the United States
to ask President Roosevelt
for military aid. Roosevelt told Aiken that Ireland should be supporting Britain, prompting Aiken to ask Roosevelt to seek guarantees from the British Government that the UK would not invade Ireland. In 1943, William Davin
and Timothy J. Murphy
of the Labour Party
questioned the need for such a Minister, and the vagueness of his responsibilities.
The ministry was abolished on 18 June 1945. The following day, Aiken was appointed Minister for Finance
.
Frank Aiken
Frank Aiken was a commander of the Irish Republican Army and later an Irish politician. A founding-member of Fianna Fáil, Aiken was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1923 and at each subsequent election until 1973...
as a member of the Government of Ireland during The Emergency — the state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
in operation in independent 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,...
during 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...
. The Minister was intended to handle Civil Defence and related measures, allowing the Minister for Defence
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
to concentrate on matters relating to the regular Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
. The office was also responsible for handling wartime censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
.
Technically, Aiken was a minister without portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
, as there was no Department of State
Department of State (Ireland)
A Department of State of Ireland, is a department or ministry of the Government of Ireland. The head of such a department is a Minister of the Government , often called a 'cabinet minister' or 'government minister' which should not be confused with Minister of State which is a junior non-cabinet...
corresponding to his brief, although there was an Office of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939, which allows for ministers without portfolio, also allows such a minister to have a specific style or title. In fact, Aiken had been appointed on 8 September 1939, and the Act was passed on 21 December 1939, backdated to 8 September. The Minister for Supplies
Minister for Supplies (Ireland)
The Minister for Supplies was created by the , to assist Ireland through World War II, or The Emergency, as referred to by the Government of Ireland...
, who did have a corresponding Department of State, was established on the same dates. The section in the Act on ministers without portfolio was seen by Richard Mulcahy
Richard Mulcahy
Richard James Mulcahy was an Irish politician, army general and commander in chief, leader of Fine Gael and Cabinet Minister...
as designed to safeguard the legality of Aiken's office.
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...
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...
explained the reasoning behind the ministry:
The Minister received functions delegated by other ministers, as provided for by section 6 of the Emergency Powers Act 1939
Emergency Powers Act 1939
The Emergency Powers Act 1939 is an act of the Oireachtas enacted on 3 September 1939 after an official state of emergency had been declared on 2 September 1939...
. Aiken enforced stringent censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
of news, and of material potentially sympathetic to the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, in accordance with Ireland's neutrality
Irish neutrality during World War II
The policy of Irish neutrality during World War II was adopted by Dáil Éireann at the instigation of Éamon de Valera, its Taoiseach upon the outbreak of hostilities in Europe and maintained throughout the conflict. De Valera refrained from joining either the Allies or Axis powers...
. He was also responsible for air raid
Strategic bombing
Strategic bombing is a military strategy used in a total war with the goal of defeating an enemy nation-state by destroying its economic ability and public will to wage war rather than destroying its land or naval forces...
precautions, delegated by the Minister for Defence. Seán Moylan
Seán Moylan
Seán Moylan was a Commandant of the Irish Republican Army and later a Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil politician...
, Parliamentary Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary
A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with his or her duties.In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to...
to the Minister for Defence, served also as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures.
In April 1941, Aiken went to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to ask President Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
for military aid. Roosevelt told Aiken that Ireland should be supporting Britain, prompting Aiken to ask Roosevelt to seek guarantees from the British Government that the UK would not invade Ireland. In 1943, William Davin
William Davin
William Davin was an Irish Labour Party politician who served as a Teachta Dála for over thirty years. He was also station-master....
and Timothy J. Murphy
Timothy J. Murphy
Timothy J. Murphy was an Irish Labour Party politician.A native of Dunmanway, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1923 general election as a TD for Cork West. He was re-elected at the next nine general elections, but remained on the opposition benches of the Dáil until 1948 when the...
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...
questioned the need for such a Minister, and the vagueness of his responsibilities.
The ministry was abolished on 18 June 1945. The following day, Aiken was appointed Minister for Finance
Minister for Finance (Ireland)
The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
.