President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State

Under the constitution of 1922 he was nominated by the D�il 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 D�il's stamp of approval, before being appointed by the Governor-General. He could not dissolve the Council, only the Council itself could advise a D�il dissolution. But if the President lost his majority in the D�il 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 F�il (1932-37)

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

Notes

[1] Arthur Griffith (Jan-Aug 1922) opted not to call himself President of the Republic but President of D�il �ireann