Coalition formation was not always a pre-election done deal

The first coalition government in Ireland happened most unexpectedly in 1948.

Fianna Fail was first past the post in the General Election with 68 seats. Fine Gael had 31, Labour 14, Clann na Poblachta 10, Clann na Talmhan 7, National Labour 5 and Independents 5. The Opposition’s tally of 79 was utterly fragmented.

But after 16 years of continuous rule by Fianna Fail, they were determined to ‘put them out’. Nevertheless, Eamon de Valera was confident of being elected Taoiseach with support from National Labour and Independents.

The four party leaders met for several hours at Leinster House but no agreement came. It transpired that despite their wish for a change of government, Clann na Poblachta, under Sean MacBride, would not agree to serve under General Mulcahy, the Fine Gael leader, as Taoiseach. Memories of the civil war were still too vivid.

The next day General Mulcahy, again putting country before personal interests, issued a statement saying, “Responding to the unanimous request made to him by the leaders and other representatives of Fine Gael, Labour, Clann na Poblachta, Clann na Talmhan and by a group of independent deputies. Mr. JA Costello SC has agreed to allow himself to be nominated for the position of Taoiseach on Wednesday next. All the parties have agreed to cooperate in the formation of an Inter-Party Government”.

John A Costello became ‘The Compromise Taoiseach’.

Anthony J. Jordan

Gilford Road

Dublin 4