The 3rd executive council of the Irish Free State (23 June 1927 – 11 October 1927) 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.
23 June 1927Nomination of W. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) as President of the Executive CouncilMotion proposed by James Murphy and seconded by Peadar DoyleAbsolute majority: 77/153 Vote Parties Votes Yes Cumann na nGaedheal (44), Farmers' Party (11), Independents (13) No Labour Party (22) Absent orNot voting National League (8), Cumann na nGaedheal (2), Independents (1), Ceann Comhairle (1) Abstentionist Fianna Fáil (44), Sinn Féin (5), Independent (2)
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.
Office NamePresident of the Executive CouncilW. T. CosgraveVice-President of the Executive CouncilKevin O'HigginsMinister for External AffairsMinister for JusticeMinister for FinanceErnest BlytheMinister for DefenceDesmond FitzGeraldMinister for Industry and CommercePatrick McGilliganMinister for EducationJohn M. O'SullivanMinister for Agriculture and LandsPatrick HoganMinister for FisheriesFionán LynchMinister for Local Government and Public HealthRichard MulcahyMinister for Posts and TelegraphsJ. J. WalshChanges 14 July 1927 Following the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins.Office NameVice-President of the Executive CouncilErnest Blythe Minister for External AffairsW. T. Cosgrave (acting)Minister for Justice
Parliamentary secretaries The Executive Council appointed Parliamentary secretaries on the nomination of the President. The first three were appointed on 24 June 1927. NameOfficeEamonn DugganGovernment Chief WhipParliamentary secretary to the Minister for DefenceSéamus BurkeParliamentary secretary to the Minister for FinanceMartin RoddyParliamentary secretary to the Minister for FisheriesAppointment 18 August 1927Name Office James FitzGerald-KenneyParliamentary secretary to the Minister for Justice
Actions of the government After the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins on 10 July 1927, the Executive Council proposed the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) 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.
16 August 1927Motion of no confidence in the Executive CouncilMotion proposed by Thomas Johnson (Lab) and seconded by Hugh Colohan (Lab)Absolute majority: 77/153 Vote Parties Votes Yes Fianna Fáil (43), Labour Party (21), National League (6), Independent (1) No Cumann na nGaedheal (45), Farmers' Party (11), Independents (15) Absent Labour Party (1), National League (1) Vacant 2 Abstentionist Sinn Féin (5), Independent (1) Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes exercised his casting vote against the motion.
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.
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