There were two Governments of the 6th Dáil, which was elected at the September 1927 general election held on 15 September 1927. The 4th Executive Council and the 5th Executive Council were both minority governments of Cumann na nGaedheal led by W. T. Cosgrave as President of the Executive Council. The 4th Executive Council lasted for 899 days from its appointment until it resigned from office, and continued to carry out its duties until the appointment of its successor for a further 5 days. The 5th Executive Council lasted for 707 days.
The members of the Executive Council were nominated by the President and approved by the Dáil on 12 October. They were then appointed by the Governor General. ;Notes
The following amendments to the Constitution of the Irish Free State were proposed by the Executive Council and passed by the Oireachtas:
Amendment No. 10 : Removed all direct democracy provisions except the requirement that, after a transitional period, a referendum be held on all constitutional amendments. However this remaining provision would never be allowed to come into effect.
Amendment No. 6 : Replaced the direct election of the Senate with a system of indirect election.
Amendment No. 13 : Extended the Senate's power of delay over legislation from nine months to twenty months.
Amendment No. 8 : Reduced the age of eligibility for senators from 35 to 30.
Amendment No. 9 : Altered provisions relating to the procedure for nominating candidates to stand in senatorial elections.
Amendment No. 7 : Reduced the term of office of senators from twelve to nine years.
Amendment No. 14 : Clarified a technical matter relating to the relationship between the two houses of the Oireachtas.
Amendment No. 15 : Permitted one member of the Executive Council to be a senator, where previously it had been required that all be members of the Dáil. It was still required that the President, Vice-President and Minister for Finance hold seats in the Dáil.
Amendment No. 16 : Extended the period during which amendments of the constitution could be made by ordinary legislation from eight to sixteen years.
Amendment No. 11 : Altered the method for filling casual vacancies in the Seanad by providing for a vote of both houses rather than just the Seanad.
Amendment No. 12 : Altered provisions relating to the Committee of Privileges that had authority to resolves disputes over the definition of a money bill.
Resignation of the Executive Council
On 27 March 1930, the Old Age Pensions Bill 1929, a private member's bill proposed by Conn Ward a member of Fianna Fáil, which was the lead party of the parliamentary opposition, passed second stage by 66 votes to 64. The following day, the President tendered his resignation to the Governor-General. The Executive Council continued to carry out its duties under Article 53 of the Constitution until the appointment of its successor.
5th Executive Council of the Irish Free State
Nomination of President of the Executive Council
In the debate on the nomination of the President of the Executive Council on 2 April 1930, Fianna Fáil leaderÉamon de Valera, Labour Party Leader Thomas J. O'Connell, and Cumann na nGaedheal leader and outgoing President W. T. Cosgrave were each proposed. The motions proposing de Valera and O'Connell were defeated, while the motion proposing Cosgrave was carried with 80 votes in favour to 65 votes against. Cosgrave was then appointed as President of the Executive Council by Governor-General James McNeill.
Members of the Executive Council
The members of the Executive Council were nominated by the President and approved by the Dáil on 3 April. They were then appointed by the Governor General.
Parliamentary Secretaries
The Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed by the Executive Council.
Amendment to the Constitution of the Irish Free State
The following amendment to the Constitution of the Irish Free State was proposed by the Executive Council and passed by the Oireachtas:
Amendment No. 17 : Inserted Article 2A, which included provisions for trial by military tribunals.
