Irish general election, 1948

The Irish general election of 1948 was held on 4 February 1948. The 147 newly elected members of the 13th Dáil assembled on 18 February when the First Inter-Party government in the history of the Irish state was appointed.

The general election took place in 40 parliamentary constituencies throughout independent Ireland for 147 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. For this election the membership of the Dáil was increased to 147 seats, an increase of 9 since the previous election. The 1948 general election is considered an important election in 20th century Ireland, as it paved the way for the first Inter-Party government.

Campaign

The general election of 1948 caused by a desire by the Taoiseach Éamon de Valera, to catch the new party, Clann na Poblachta, by surprise, thus limiting its vote. The tactic succeeded, however, a number of other issues were raised on the campaign that the parties didn't foresee.

Fianna Fáil had enjoyed an uninterrupted sixteen years of dominance in government. Many people believed that the party had become stale and there was a strong desire for a fresh change. Although World War II had ended three years earlier, rationing continued, and massive inflation plagued the economy. A prolonged teachers strike during the lifetime of the previous Dáil damaged the government due to its inability to settle the dispute. Bad weather added to the woes of the farmers, and poor harvests resulted in anger at the ballot box. Allegations that Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass were involved in bribery and corruption raised questions about certain public officials.

Despite these issues, Fianna Fáil still expected to retain power. This prospect seemed very likely; however, an unlikely coalition was soon to be formed.

Result

When the votes were counted Fianna Fáil remained the largest party in spite of dropping 8 seats. Éamon de Valera's tactic of calling a snap general election succeeded in catching Clann na Poblachta off balance. In spite of the prediction of greater success the latter party only won 10 seats. The other parties remained roughly the same, with Fine Gael only gaining an extra seat. Fianna Fáil remained the largest party and it looked as if it were the only one capable of forming a government.

Formation of the Coalition

The election left de Valera six seats short of a majority in the 147 seat Dáil. Fianna Fáil had long refused to enter a formal coalition with another party, instead preferring confidence and supply agreements with other parties when it was short of an outright majority. This time, however, de Valera was unable to reach an agreement with National Labour and the Independents with a view to forming a government. It seemed unlikely that the other political parties could join together to oust Fianna Fáil. However, a shared dislike of Fianna Fáil and de Valera overcame all other difficulties to knock Fianna Fáil from power for the first time in 16 years.

As the largest party in the government Fine Gael had the task of providing a nominee for Taoiseach. The natural choice was the party leader, Richard Mulcahy. However, republicans such as Seán MacBride refused to serve under the commander of the Free State forces during the civil war. Since the other parties would have been 17 seats short of a majority (and indeed, would have been 11 seats behind Fianna Fáil) without MacBride, Mulcahy unselfishly stepped aside in favour of John A. Costello, a relatively unknown politician and former Attorney General. Mulcahy, who remained nominal leader of Fine Gael, became Minister for Education. William Norton, the leader of the Labour Party became Tánaiste and Minister for Social Welfare.

On paper, this new coalition government looked weak and seemed unlikely to last. It consisted of a motley collection of political parties. There were young and old politicians, republicans and Free Staters, conservatives and socialists. The government's survival depended on a united dislike of Fianna Fáil, the skill of Costello as Taoiseach and the independence of various ministers.

In all the coalition lasted over three years and was successful in several areas.

First time TDs

* Noel Browne (Appointed Minister for Health on his first day in the Dáil.)
* Jack Lynch
* Joseph Hughes
* Patrick Crotty
* Thomas Walsh
* John Tully
* Patrick McGrath
* Michael Sheehan
* Patrick O'Gorman
* Michael O'Higgins
* Seán Keane
* Dan Desmond
* Patrick Lehane
* Seán Collins
* Gerard Sweetman
* James Collins
* Michael Davern
* Tom O'Higgins
* Seán Dunne
* Eamonn Rooney
* Con Lehane
* Michael F. Kitt
* Robert Lahiffe
* Jack McQuillan
* John Ormonde
* James Hickey (regained seat)

Outgoing TDs

* Finian Lynch
* Patrick Shanahan (Lost seat)

ee also

* Members of the 13th Dáil
* Government of the 13th Dáil
* Parliamentary Secretaries of the 13th Dáil