Government of the 15th Dáil


The Government of the 15th Dáil or the 7th Government of Ireland was the government of Ireland formed after the general election held on 18 May 1954. Commonly known as the Second Inter-Party Government, it was a minority government of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Clann na Talmhan. Clann na Poblachta, which had been in the First Inter-Party Government with these parties, supported the government but did form part of it.
The 7th Government lasted for 1,022 days.

7th Government of Ireland

Nomination of Taoiseach

The members of the 15th Dáil first met on 2 June 1954. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Éamon de Valera and former Taoiseach John A. Costello of Fine Gael were both proposed. The nomination of de Valera was defeated with 66 votes cast in favour and 78 against, while the nomination of Costello was approved by 79 to 66. Costello was then appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly.

Members of the Government

The Ministers of the Government were proposed by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day.

Change 2 July 1956

On establishment of the Department of the Gaeltacht.
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Changes 24 October 1956

Assignment of separate Minister for the Gaeltacht.
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Parliamentary Secretaries

On 3 June 1954, the Government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Foreign Policy

Ireland joined the United Nations in 1955.

Dissolution of the Dáil

The government ended when the Clann na Poblachta withdrew their support in 1957. Costello sought a dissolution of the Dáil which was granted by the president, leading to a general election on 9 March 1957.