The 4th Dáil was elected at the 1923 general election on 27 August 1923 and met on 19 September 1923. The members of Dáil Éireann, the Chamber of Deputies of the Oireachtas (legislature) of the Irish Free State, are known as TDs. It was one of two houses of the Oireachtas, sitting with the First Seanad constituted as the 1922 Seanad and the 1925 Seanad. Although Cumann na nGaedheal did not have a majority, it was able to govern due to the absence of Republicans (Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin) who refused to attend.

The 4th Dáil was dissolved by Governor-General Tim Healy on 23 May 1927, at the request of the President of the Executive Council W. T. Cosgrave. The 4th Dáil lasted 3years, 246days.

Composition of the 4th Dáil

PartyAug. 1923May 1927Change
Cumann na nGaedheal63576
Republican442717
Farmers' Party15141
Labour14151
Businessmen's Party22
Fianna Fáil—N/a1919
Clann Éireann—N/a33
National League—N/a22
Independent15123
Ceann Comhairle—N/a11
Vacant—N/a11
Total153

In line with its policy of abstentionism, the Republican TDs did not take their seats. Fianna Fáil split from Sinn Féin in March 1926, and also maintained a policy of abstention throughout the 4th Dáil. This made a functional majority of only 55 seats. Labour formed the lead party of opposition in the absence of the Republican TDs.

The 2nd executive was formed by Cumann na nGaedheal.

Graphical representation

This is a graphical comparison of party strengths in the 4th Dáil from September 1923. This was not the official seating plan. The Republican members did not take their seats.

Ceann Comhairle

On 19 September 1923, Michael Hayes (CnaG), the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, was proposed by W. T. Cosgrave and seconded by Thomas Johnson for the position, and was approved without a vote.

TDs by constituency

The list of the 153 TDs elected is given in alphabetical order by Dáil constituency.

Members of the 4th Dáil
ConstituencyNameParty
Carlow–KilkennyW. T. CosgraveCumann na nGaedheal
Edward DoyleLabour
Seán GibbonsCumann na nGaedheal
Denis GoreyFarmers' Party
Michael ShellyRepublican
CavanPatrick BaxterFarmers' Party
John James ColeIndependent
Seán MilroyCumann na nGaedheal
Patrick SmithRepublican
ClareÉamon de ValeraRepublican
Conor HoganFarmers' Party
Patrick HoganLabour
Eoin MacNeillCumann na nGaedheal
Brian O'HigginsRepublican
Cork BoroughRichard BeamishIndependent
Mary MacSwineyRepublican
Alfred O'RahillyCumann na nGaedheal
Andrew O'ShaughnessyIndependent
J. J. WalshCumann na nGaedheal
Cork EastJohn DalyIndependent
John DinneenFarmers' Party
Michael HennessyCumann na nGaedheal
David KentRepublican
Thomas O'MahonyCumann na nGaedheal
Cork NorthDaniel CorkeryRepublican
Thomas NagleLabour
Daniel VaughanFarmers' Party
Cork WestSeán BuckleyRepublican
Cornelius ConnollyCumann na nGaedheal
Timothy J. MurphyLabour
Timothy O'DonovanFarmers' Party
John PriorCumann na nGaedheal
DonegalEugene DohertyCumann na nGaedheal
Patrick McGoldrickCumann na nGaedheal
Patrick McFaddenCumann na nGaedheal
James MylesIndependent
Joseph O'DohertyRepublican
Peadar O'DonnellRepublican
Peter WardCumann na nGaedheal
John WhiteFarmers' Party
Dublin NorthAlfie ByrneIndependent
Francis CahillCumann na nGaedheal
Margaret Collins-O'DriscollCumann na nGaedheal
William HewatBusinessmen's Party
Seán McGarryCumann na nGaedheal
Richard MulcahyCumann na nGaedheal
Seán T. O'KellyRepublican
Ernie O'MalleyRepublican
Dublin SouthPhilip CosgraveCumann na nGaedheal
Peadar DoyleCumann na nGaedheal
Michael HayesCumann na nGaedheal
Myles KeoghIndependent
Daniel McCarthyCumann na nGaedheal
Constance MarkieviczRepublican
Cathal Ó MurchadhaRepublican
Dublin CountyBryan CooperIndependent
Michael DerhamCumann na nGaedheal
Darrell FiggisIndependent
Desmond FitzGeraldCumann na nGaedheal
John GoodBusinessmen's Party
Thomas JohnsonLabour
Kathleen LynnRepublican
Kevin O'HigginsCumann na nGaedheal
Dublin UniversityErnest AltonIndependent
James CraigIndependent
William ThriftIndependent
GalwaySeán BroderickCumann na nGaedheal
James CosgraveIndependent
Frank FahyRepublican
Patrick HoganCumann na nGaedheal
Barney MellowsRepublican
George NicollsCumann na nGaedheal
Thomas J. O'ConnellLabour
Louis O'DeaRepublican
Pádraic Ó MáilleCumann na nGaedheal
KerryPatrick CahillRepublican
James CrowleyCumann na nGaedheal
Fionán LynchCumann na nGaedheal
Tom McEllistrimRepublican
Thomas O'DonoghueRepublican
John O'SullivanCumann na nGaedheal
Austin StackRepublican
KildareHugh ColohanLabour
John ConlanFarmers' Party
George WolfeCumann na nGaedheal
Leitrim–SligoThomas CarterCumann na nGaedheal
Frank CartyRepublican
James DolanCumann na nGaedheal
Seán FarrellRepublican
John HenniganCumann na nGaedheal
Alexander McCabeCumann na nGaedheal
Martin McGowanRepublican
Laois–OffalyLaurence BradyRepublican
Francis BulfinCumann na nGaedheal
William DavinLabour
Patrick EganCumann na nGaedheal
Seán McGuinnessRepublican
LimerickSeán CarrollRepublican
Patrick ClancyLabour
James ColbertRepublican
John NolanCumann na nGaedheal
Richard HayesCumann na nGaedheal
Patrick HoganFarmers' Party
James LeddenCumann na nGaedheal
Longford–WestmeathConor ByrneRepublican
James KillaneRepublican
John LyonsIndependent
Patrick McKennaFarmers' Party
Patrick ShawCumann na nGaedheal
LouthFrank AikenRepublican
Peter HughesCumann na nGaedheal
James MurphyCumann na nGaedheal
Mayo NorthHenry CoyleCumann na nGaedheal
John CrowleyRepublican
Joseph McGrathCumann na nGaedheal
P. J. RuttledgeRepublican
Mayo SouthMichael KilroyRepublican
Joseph MacBrideCumann na nGaedheal
Tom MaguireRepublican
Martin NallyCumann na nGaedheal
William SearsCumann na nGaedheal
MeathEamonn DugganCumann na nGaedheal
David HallLabour
Patrick MulvanyFarmers' Party
MonaghanErnest BlytheCumann na nGaedheal
Patrick DuffyCumann na nGaedheal
Patrick MacCarvillRepublican
National UniversityMichael HayesCumann na nGaedheal
Eoin MacNeillCumann na nGaedheal
William MagennisCumann na nGaedheal
RoscommonGerald BolandRepublican
Henry FinlayCumann na nGaedheal
Andrew LavinCumann na nGaedheal
George Noble PlunkettRepublican
TipperaryDan BreenRepublican
Séamus BurkeCumann na nGaedheal
Louis DaltonCumann na nGaedheal
Michael HeffernanFarmers' Party
Seán McCurtinCumann na nGaedheal
Daniel MorrisseyLabour
Patrick RyanRepublican
WaterfordCaitlín BrughaRepublican
John ButlerLabour
William RedmondIndependent
Nicholas WallFarmers' Party
WexfordRichard CorishLabour
Michael DoyleFarmers' Party
Osmond EsmondeCumann na nGaedheal
Robert LambertRepublican
James RyanRepublican
WicklowChristopher ByrneCumann na nGaedheal
James EverettLabour
Richard WilsonFarmers' Party

Changes

DateConstituencyLossGainNote
19 September 1923Dublin SouthCumann na nGaedhealMichael Hayes resigns to sit for NUI
19 September 1923National UniversityCumann na nGaedhealCeann ComhairleMichael Hayes takes office as Ceann Comhairle
9 October 1923National UniversityCumann na nGaedhealEoin MacNeill resigns to sit for Clare
22 October 1923Dublin SouthCumann na nGaedhealDeath of Philip Cosgrave
27 October 1923Dublin SouthCumann na nGaedhealHugh Kennedy holds the seat vacated by the resignation of Hayes
3 November 1923NUICumann na nGaedhealPatrick McGilligan holds the seat vacated by the resignation of MacNeill
20 November 1923Dublin CountyCumann na nGaedhealDeath of Michael Derham
10 January 1924LimerickCumann na nGaedhealResignation of Richard Hayes
12 March 1924Dublin SouthCumann na nGaedhealJames O'Mara holds the seat vacated by the death of Cosgrave
19 March 1924Dublin CountyCumann na nGaedhealBatt O'Connor holds the seat vacated by the death of Derham
April 1924Mayo NorthCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupJoseph McGrath joins new party as leader
April 1924Carlow–KilkennyCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupSeán Gibbons joins new party
April 1924CavanCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupSeán Milroy joins new party
April 1924Dublin NorthCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupFrancis Cahill joins new party
April 1924Dublin NorthCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupSeán McGarry joins new party
April 1924Dublin SouthCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupDaniel McCarthy joins new party
April 1924Leitrim–SligoCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupThomas Carter joins new party
April 1924Leitrim–SligoCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupAlexander McCabe joins new party
April 1924RoscommonCumann na nGaedhealNational GroupHenry Finlay joins new party
9 May 1924Mayo NorthCumann na nGaedhealDisqualification of Henry Coyle
28 May 1924LimerickCumann na nGaedhealRichard O'Connell holds the seat vacated by the resignation of Hayes
5 June 1924Dublin SouthCumann na nGaedhealResignation of Hugh Kennedy on appointment as Chief Justice
20 July 1924Cork EastCumann na nGaedhealDeath of Thomas O'Mahony
1 August 1924Cork BoroughCumann na nGaedhealResignation of Alfred O'Rahilly
1 August November 1924DonegalCumann na nGaedhealResignation of Peter Ward
29 October 1924Mayo NorthNational GroupResignation of Joseph McGrath
30 October 1924Carlow–KilkennyNational GroupResignation of Seán Gibbons
30 October 1924CavanNational GroupResignation of Seán Milroy
30 October 1924Dublin NorthNational GroupResignation of Francis Cahill
30 October 1924Dublin NorthNational GroupResignation of Seán McGarry
30 October 1924Dublin SouthNational GroupResignation of Daniel McCarthy
30 October 1924Leitrim–SligoNational GroupResignation of Thomas Carter
30 October 1924Leitrim–SligoNational GroupResignation of Alexander McCabe
30 October 1924RoscommonNational GroupResignation of Henry Finlay
18 November 1924Cork EastCumann na nGaedhealMichael Noonan holds the seat vacated by the death of O'Mahony
18 November 1924Dublin SouthRepublicanSeán Lemass gains the seat vacated by the resignation of Kennedy
18 November 1924Mayo NorthRepublicanJohn Madden gains the seat vacated by the disqualification of Coyle
19 November 1924Cork BoroughCumann na nGaedhealMichael Egan holds the seat vacated by the resignation of O'Rahilly
20 November 1924DonegalCumann na nGaedhealDenis McCullough holds the seat vacated by the resignation of Ward
11 March 1925Carlow–KilkennyCumann na nGaedhealThomas Bolger holds the seat vacated by the resignation of Gibbons
11 March 1925CavanCumann na nGaedhealJohn Joe O'Reilly holds the seat vacated by the resignation of Milroy
11 March 1925Dublin NorthCumann na nGaedhealPatrick Leonard holds the seat vacated by the resignation of Cahill
11 March 1925Dublin NorthRepublicanOscar Traynor gains the seat vacated by the resignation of McGarry
11 March 1925Dublin SouthCumann na nGaedhealThomas Hennessy holds the seat vacated by the resignation of McCarthy
11 March 1925Leitrim–SligoRepublicanSamuel Holt gains the seat vacated by the resignation of Carter
11 March 1925Leitrim–SligoCumann na nGaedhealMartin Roddy holds the seat vacated by the resignation of McCabe
11 March 1925Mayo NorthCumann na nGaedhealMichael Tierney holds the seat vacated by the resignation of McGrath
11 March 1925RoscommonCumann na nGaedhealMartin Conlon holds the seat vacated by the resignation of Finlay
27 October 1926Dublin CountyIndependentDeath of Darrell Figgis
30 November 1925Leix–OffalyRepublicanDisqualification of Seán McGuinness
25 January 1926National UniversityCumann na nGaedhealClann ÉireannWilliam Magennis joins new party
25 January 1926GalwayCumann na nGaedhealClann ÉireannPádraic Ó Máille joins new party
25 January 1926WicklowCumann na nGaedhealClann ÉireannChristopher Byrne joins new party
18 February 1926Dublin CountyLabourWilliam Norton gains the seat vacated by the death of Figgis
18 February 1926Leix–OffalyCumann na nGaedhealJames Dwyer gains the seat vacated by the disqualification of McGuinness
16 May 1926ClareRepublicanFianna FáilÉamon de Valera founds new party Fianna Fáil as party leader
1926LouthRepublicanFianna FáilFrank Aiken joins new party
1926RoscommonRepublicanFianna FáilGerald Boland joins new party
1926TipperaryRepublicanFianna FáilDan Breen joins new party
1926Leitrim–SligoRepublicanFianna FáilFrank Carty joins new party
1926LimerickRepublicanFianna FáilJames Colbert joins new party
1926GalwayRepublicanFianna FáilFrank Fahy joins new party
1926Leitrim–SligoRepublicanFianna FáilSamuel Holt joins new party
1926Longford–WestmeathRepublicanFianna FáilJames Killane joins new party
1926Mayo SouthRepublicanFianna FáilMichael Kilroy joins new party
1926Dublin SouthRepublicanFianna FáilSeán Lemass joins new party
1926MonaghanRepublicanFianna FáilPatrick MacCarvill joins new party
1926Dublin SouthRepublicanFianna FáilConstance Markievicz joins new party
1926KerryRepublicanFianna FáilTom McEllistrim joins new party
1926Dublin NorthRepublicanFianna FáilSeán T. O'Kelly joins new party
1926DonegalRepublicanFianna FáilJoseph O'Doherty joins new party
1926Dublin NorthRepublicanFianna FáilSeán T. O'Kelly joins new party
1926Mayo NorthRepublicanFianna FáilP. J. Ruttledge joins new party
1926Leitrim–SligoRepublicanFianna FáilFrank Carty joins new party
1926WexfordRepublicanFianna FáilJames Ryan joins new party
1926Carlow–KilkennyRepublicanFianna FáilMichael Shelly joins new party
1926CavanRepublicanFianna FáilPatrick Smith joins new party
September 1926WaterfordIndependentNational LeagueWilliam Redmond joins new party as founder member
September 1926GalwayIndependentNational LeagueJames Cosgrave joins new party as founder member
19 January 1927LimerickCumann na nGaedhealDeath of James Ledden
25 January 1927TipperaryFianna FáilInd. RepublicanDan Breen takes the Oath of Allegiance
May 1927Carlow–KilkennyFarmers' PartyCumann na nGaedhealDenis Gorey selected as candidate for Cumann na nGaedheal

Footnotes

External links

  • . Houses of the Oireachtas.
  • . Houses of the Oireachtas. from the original on 5 May 2018.