Nothing new in Taoiseach debate

THE fact that two different people hold the offices of Taoiseach and leader of the largest party in Government is not unique.
Following the 1948 and 1954 General Elections, Richard Mulcahy was leader of Fine Gael but John A Costello was elected Taoiseach. From the 1932 election onwards, Fianna Fáil formed the following six governments. By the time the 1948 election was called, the country was in the mood for change.
Fianna Fáil were accused of arrogance and complacency. The newly formed Clann na Poblachta also challenged them for what was traditionally the Fianna Fáil republican vote. Clann na Poblachta charged the government with doing their electioneering in a fleet of chauffeured State cars, with calling the election before a new register came into force and with being supported by financial interests and racketeers. Leader of the party, Seán Mac Bride, wanted an investigation into an alleged petrol scam involving friends of Fianna Fáil. Taoiseach Eamon de Valera responded that the charges were unpatriotic and undermined the reputation of the country abroad.
Fine Gael accused the government of using foreign media to broadcast exaggerated accounts of Fianna Fáil achievements. Compulsory Irish also figured in the campaign.
The election was possibly called early in an attempt to stem the rise of Clann na Poblachta. There had also been an Electoral Amendment Act which increased the number of TDs by nine and the number of three-seat constituencies from 15 to 22. Some historians have questioned the reasoning behind those decisions. There was a strong desire for change after 16 years of Fianna Fáil in power and many believed the party had become stale. In spite of all that, they still hoped to remain in power.
Here in Clare, the election returned two Fianna Fail TDs, one Labour and one Independent. It was the last time Fine Gael failed to win a seat in the constituency. Nationally, Fianna Fáil lost eight seats but were still the largest party in the new Dáil. The loser in the early election and new constituencies tactic was indeed Clann na Poblachta whose 10 seats were only 6% of the Dáil, while they had won over 13% of the first preference vote. Fianna Fáil, with 67 seats, looked likely to form a minority government. Fine Gael, Labour, Clann na Poblachta, Clann na Talmhan and National Labour also combined to 67 so the balance of power rested with the 12 Independents. All parties were determined to get Fianna Fáil out of office and to that end, included the Independents in their negotiations. The major stumbling block was the position of taoiseach.
Richard Mulcahy was leader of Fine Gael. He had succeeded Michael Collins as Chief of Staff of the Army during the Civil War and Clann na Poblachta refused to serve under him as Taoiseach. Without the Clann, an alternative government would not have been possible. Mulcahy agreed to step aside and he nominated John A Costello as taoiseach. Mulcahy remained as leader of Fine Gael and served as Minister for Education.
That general election, which saw our first inter-party government and also saw another that was not the party leader be taoiseach took place on February 4, 1948 – 63 years ago this week.

Michael Torpey