W.T. Cosgrave

William Thomas Cosgrave (Irish name Liam Tomás Mac Cosgair; June 6, 1880 – November 16, 1965), known generally as W.T. Cosgrave, was an Irish politician who succeeded Michael Collins as Chairman of the Irish Provisional Government from August to December 1922. He served as the first President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State from 1922 to 1932.

Second Government, September 1923-June 1927

• President of the Executive Council: William T. Cosgrave
• Vice-President of the Executive Council: Kevin O'Higgins
• Minister for Finance: Ernest Blythe
• Minister for External Affairs: Desmond FitzGerald
• Minister for Home Affairs: Kevin O'Higgins
• Minister for Defence: Richard Mulcahy
• Minister for Industry & Commerce: Joseph McGrath
• Minister for Education: Eoin MacNeill
• Minister for Agriculture: Patrick Hogan
• Minister for Local Government: James Burke
• Post-Master General: James J. Walsh
• Minister for Fisheries: Finian Lynch

Changes

• March 7, 1924: Joseph McGrath resigns from the government as Minister for Industry & Commerce.
• March 19, 1924: Richard Mulcahy resigns as Minister for Defence.
• March 20, 1924: W.T. Cosgrave takes over as Minister for Defence on a temporary basis.
• April 4, 1924: Patrick McGilligan joins the government as Minister for Industry & Commerce.
• June 6, 1924: The Ministers & Secretaries Act, 1924 comes into effect. The title, Minister for Home Affairs, is replaced by the title Minister for Justice. The title of Minister for Agriculture now changes to the Minister for Lands & Agriculture. The title Minister for Local Government changes to the Minister for Local Government & Public Health. The title Post-Master General changes to the Minister for Posts & Telegraphs.
• November 21, 1924: Peter Hughes joins the government as the new Minister for Defence.
• November 24, 1925: Eoin MacNeill resigns as Minister for Education.
• January 28, 1926: John M. O'Sullivan joins the government as Minister for Education.