Lemass’s achievements highlight the need for real government now

The Lemass style of leadership was to encourage his ministers to be proactive. Unlike de Valera, he never managed to lead Fianna Fáil to an overall majority but, unlike some of his successors, he refused to bargain with any independents to support his nomination for Taoiseach

FIFTY years ago this week, on June 23, 1959, Seán Lemass succeeded Eamon de Valera as Taoiseach. He became an inspiration and is regarded as one of our greatest – if not our greatest – leader since independence.

He spent most of his career in one ministry, building up protectionism, and he became famous as Taoiseach for tearing the whole thing down.