Irish Government

The Government (Irish: Rialtas) is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in the Republic of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach, and a deputy prime minister called the Tánaiste. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President after being designated by Dáil Éireann (the lower house of parliament). The President then appoints the remaining ministers after they have been chosen by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil. The Government must enjoy the confidence of the Dáil if it is to remain in office.

Origins

The Government was created by the 1937 Constitution of Ireland; the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924 and amendments, contains the detailed provisions regarding status and functions of the government in general2. The Government was preceded by the Executive Council of the 1922-1937 Irish Free State.

Related Topics:
1937 - Constitution of Ireland - Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924 - 2 - Executive Council - 1922 - Irish Free State

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A number of government minister positions no longer exist, as distinct from renaming which occurs frequently, their powers are tranfered to other ministers - these "defunct" ministers are: Communications, Labour, Posts & Telegraphs, Public Service and Supplies. The office of Minister without portfolio has also being held several times, but not since 1977.

Related Topics:
Communications - Labour - Posts & Telegraphs - Public Service - Supplies - Minister without portfolio - 1977

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Since the 1990s, all Irish cabinets have consisted of coalitions of two or more parties, although coalitions existed intermittently before this. Nowadays, the position of Tánaiste is always held by the leader of the smaller of the two largest coalition government partners.

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