There were two governments of the 6th Dáil. The4th executive council of the Irish Free State (11 October 1927 – 2 April 1930) was formed after theSeptember 1927 general election to the6th Dáil held on 15 September 1927. The 4th executive council lasted for 2 years, 168 days from its appointment until it resigned from office, and continued to carry out its duties until the appointment of its successor for a further 5 days, for a total of 2 years, 173 days. The5th executive council of the Irish Free State (2 April 1930 – 9 March 1932) was formed after the executive council resigned in a Dáil defeat. It lasted for 1 year, 342 days. Bothminority governments ofCumann na nGaedheal led byW. T. Cosgrave asPresident of the Executive Council and had the same composition in personnel.
4th executive council of the Irish Free State | |
|---|---|
| Executive Council of the Irish Free State | |
 | |
| Date formed | 11 October 1927 |
| Date dissolved | 2 April 1930 |
| People and organisations | |
| King | George V |
| Governor-General |
|
| President of the Executive Council | W. T. Cosgrave |
| Vice-President of the Executive Council | Ernest Blythe |
| Totalno. of members | 9 |
| Member party | Cumann na nGaedheal |
| Status in legislature | Minority government |
| Opposition party | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition leader | Éamon de Valera |
| History | |
| Election | September 1927 general election |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 3rd executive council |
| Successor | 5th executive council |
The6th Dáil first met on 11 October 1927. In the debate on thenomination 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 76 votes in favour and 70 against.[1] Cosgrave was then appointed as President of the Executive Council byGovernor-GeneralTim Healy.[2]
| 11 October 1927 Nomination ofW. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) as President of the Executive Council[3] Motion proposed byGearóid O'Sullivan and seconded byPeadar Doyle Absolute majority: 77/153 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 YYes | Cumann na nGaedheal (60),Farmers' Party (6),Independents (10) | 76 / 153 |
| No | Fianna Fáil (57),Labour Party (13) | 70 / 153 |
| Absent or Not voting | National League Party (2),Independents (2),Ceann Comhairle (1) | 5 / 153 |
| Vacancy | 1[4] | 1 / 153 |
The members of the Executive Council were nominated by the President and approved by the Dáil on 12 October.[2] They were then appointed by the Governor General.[5]
On 13 March 1927, the Executive Council appointedParliamentary secretaries on the nomination of the President.[7]
The following amendments to theConstitution of the Irish Free State were proposed by the Executive Council and passed by the Oireachtas:
On 27 March 1930, the Old Age Pensions Bill 1929, aprivate member's bill proposed byConn Ward a member ofFianna Fáil, which was the lead party of theparliamentary opposition, passed second stage by 66 votes to 64.[8] This occurred in part due to absences from the government benches, includingSéamus Burke,Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance, as well as Independent TDs who regularly supported the government.[9]
The following day, the President tendered his resignation to theGovernor-General.[10] The Executive Council continued to carry out its duties under Article 53 of the Constitution until the appointment of its successor.
5th executive council of the Irish Free State | |
|---|---|
| Executive Council of the Irish Free State | |
| |
| Date formed | 2 April 1930 |
| Date dissolved | 9 March 1932 |
| People and organisations | |
| King | George V |
| Governor-General | James McNeill |
| President of the Executive Council | W. T. Cosgrave |
| Vice-President of the Executive Council | Ernest Blythe |
| Totalno. of members | 9 |
| Member party | Cumann na nGaedheal |
| Status in legislature | Minority government |
| Opposition party | Fianna Fáil |
| Opposition leader | Éamon de Valera |
| History | |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 4th executive council |
| Successor | 6th executive council |
In the debate on thenomination of the President of the Executive Council on 2 April 1930,Fianna Fáil leaderÉamon de Valera,Labour Party LeaderThomas J. O'Connell, andCumann na nGaedheal leader and outgoing President W. T. Cosgrave were each proposed. The motions proposing de Valera and O'Connell were defeated, while the motion proposing Cosgrave was carried with 80 votes in favour to 65 votes against.[11] Cosgrave was then appointed as President of the Executive Council byGovernor-GeneralJames McNeill.[12]
| 2 April 1930 Nomination ofW. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) as President of the Executive Council[13] Motion proposed byJoseph Mongan and seconded byMichael Davis Absolute majority: 77/153 | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| YYes | Cumann na nGaedheal (62),Farmers' Party (6),National League Party (2),Independents (10) | 80 / 153 |
| No | Fianna Fáil (54),Labour Party (11) | 65 / 153 |
| Absent or Not voting | Fianna Fáil (3),Labour Party (2),Independent (1),Ceann Comhairle (1) | 7 / 153 |
The members of the Executive Council were nominated by the President and approved by the Dáil on 3 April.[12] They were then appointed by the Governor General.[14]
On 3 April 1930, the Executive Council appointedParliamentary secretaries on the nomination of the President.[7]
The following amendment to theConstitution of the Irish Free State was proposed by the Executive Council and passed by the Oireachtas:
TheStatute of Westminster 1931 removed the power of theParliament of the United Kingdom to pass laws affecting BritishDominions, including theIrish Free State.