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The Tánaiste acts in the place of the Taoiseach during his or her temporary absence, and, until a successor has been appointed, in the event of the Taoiseach's death or permanent incapacitation. The Tánaiste must be a minister, and is ex-officio a member of the Council of State.
The title is in practice largely honorific. Under a coalition Government the position is commonly held by the leader of the second-largest party. In a single-party government, the Tánaiste is often an 'elder statesman' holding one of the less important ministerial portfolios.
The office was created in the 1937 Constitution of Ireland, replacing the previous office of Vice-President of the Executive Council that had existed under the Constitution of the Irish Free State.
| # | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Seán T. O'Kelly | December 29, 1937 | June 14, 1945Events January January 5 The Soviet Union recognizes the new pro-Soviet government of Poland. January 7 British General Bernard Montgomery holds a press conference in which he claims credit for victory in the Battle of the Bulge. January 12 World War II: | Fianna FáilFianna Fail The Republican Party ( English: Soldiers of Destiny is the largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. Throughout the twentieth century, the party moved from being a radical, slightly left of centre party, to become the establishment d |
| 2. | Sean Lemass | June 19June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 195 days remaining. Events 1306 Forces of Earl of Pembroke defeat Bruce's Scottish army at the Battle of Methven 1846 First baseball game under recognizable modern, 1945Events January January 5 The Soviet Union recognizes the new pro-Soviet government of Poland. January 7 British General Bernard Montgomery holds a press conference in which he claims credit for victory in the Battle of the Bulge. January 12 World War II: | February 18February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 316 days remaining (317 in leap years). Events 3102 BC Epoch (origin) of the Kali Yuga. 1478 George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of, 19481948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). Events January January 1 Nationalisation of UK railways to form British Railways. Arab militants lay siege to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. First day of the Ital | Fianna FáilFianna Fail The Republican Party ( English: Soldiers of Destiny is the largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. Throughout the twentieth century, the party moved from being a radical, slightly left of centre party, to become the establishment d |
| 3. | William NortonWilliam Norton ( 1900- 1963), Irish politician, Labour Party leader ( 1932- 1960). William Norton was born in Dublin in 1900. He joined the postal service in 1916. By 1920 he was a prominent member in the trade union movement in Ireland. From 1924 to 1948 | February 18, 1948 | June 13, 1951 | Labour |
| Sean Lemass (2nd time) | June 13, 1951 | June 2, 1954 | Fianna Fáil | |
| William Norton (2nd time) | June 2, 1954 | March 20, 1957 | Labour | |
| Sean Lemass (3rd time) | March 20, 1957 | June 23, 1959 | Fianna Fáil | |
| 4. | Seán MacEntee | June 23, 1959 | April 21, 1965 | Fianna Fáil |
| 5. | Frank Aiken | April 21, 1965 | July 2, 1969 | Fianna Fáil |
| 6. | Erskine Childers | July 2, 1969 | March 14, 1973 | Fianna Fáil |
| 7. | Brendan Corish | March 14, 1973 | July 5, 1977 | Labour |
| 8. | George Colley | July 5, 1977 | June 30, 1981 | Fianna Fáil |
| 9. | Michael O'Leary | June 30, 1981 | March 9, 1982 | Labour |
| 10. | Ray MacSharry | March 9, 1982 | December 14, 1982 | Fianna Fáil |
| 11. | Dick Spring (1st time) | December 14, 1982 | January 20, 1987 | Labour |
| 12. | Peter Barry | January 20, 1987 | March 10, 1987 | Fine Gael |
| 13. | Brian Lenihan | March 10, 1987 | October 31, 1990 | Fianna Fáil |
| 14. | John P. Wilson | November 13, 1990 | January 12, 1993 | Fianna Fáil |
| Dick Spring (2nd time) | January 12, 1993 | November 17, 1994 | Labour | |
| 15. | Bertie Ahern | November 19, 1994 | December 15, 1994 | Fianna Fáil |
| Dick Spring (3rd time) | December 15, 1994 | June 26, 1997 | Labour | |
| 16. | Mary Harney | June 26, 1997 | present | Progressive Democrats |
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Preceded by: |
Irish Prime Ministerial Offices |
Office remains in existence |