President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State

The President of the Executive Council was the title of the Prime Minister of the Irish Free State from 1922-37.

Under the constitution of 1922 he was nominated by the Dáil and appointed by the Governor-General of the Irish Free State. Although he had the power to nominate the vice-president, all other members of the Executive Council had to have the Dáil's stamp of approval, before being appointed by the Governor-General. He could not dissolve the Council, only the Council itself could advise a Dáil dissolution. But if the President lost his majority in the Dáil the Executive Council had to resign.

In theory the President of the executive Council was little more the chairman of the cabinet, a member of the team who, unlike a Prime minister, could not dismiss any of the members of the Council. However a strong leader could exercise authority beyond the limits laid down in the 1922 Constitution.

Presidents of the Executive Council

• W.T. Cosgrave - Cumann na nGaedhael (1922-32)
• Eamon de Valera - Fianna Fáil (1932-37)

The Office of President of the Executive Council was replaced by that of Taoiseach under Ireland's 1937 Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann

Preceded by: President of the Republic [1] (1921-22) answerable to Dáil Éireann

Irish Prime Ministerial Offices Irish Constitutional Theory

Succeeded by: Taoiseach (1937 - present)

Preceded by: President of the Provisional Government[?] (1922) answerable to the House of Commons of Southern Ireland

Irish Prime Ministerial Offices British Constitutional Theory

Succeeded by: Taoiseach (1937 - present)

Notes

[1] Arthur Griffith (Jan-Aug 1922) opted not to call himself President of the Republic but President of Dáil Éireann