The Taoiseach Chairman or Chief?

Structural constraints built into the system, inescapable Taoiseach not all powerful as there are distinct limits to his powers Taoiseach not all powerful as there are distinct limits to his powers –Time to deal with the complexity of government, in particular, European and foreign affairs, Northern Ireland, social policy, budget –Power of ministerial appointment is quite restricted  Coalition, loyalty and seniority of colleagues, geographical spread, expertise of potential appointees

Conjunctural constraints limits on his power depending on context within which head of government has to operate Party political situation; Party political situation; –Taoiseach is first and foremost a professional party politician – only in power as long as party support maintained. This means his room to manoeuvre is shaped by type of government ( single –party, coalition etc., strength of support for Taoiseach Parliamentary majority ( 1997 – 2002, depended on support of 3 Independents, Blaney, Fox and Healy-Rea Parliamentary majority ( 1997 – 2002, depended on support of 3 Independents, Blaney, Fox and Healy-Rea Is the governing party united: are backbenchers scheming and plotting against the Taoiseach? Is the governing party united: are backbenchers scheming and plotting against the Taoiseach?

Chairman? Is the Taoiseach in the image of a chairman? Is the Taoiseach in the image of a chairman? –Prepared to allow others to share resources, responsibilities and publicity, reluctant to move beyond established procedures and slower to act

Chief? Is the Taoiseach in the image of a chief? Is the Taoiseach in the image of a chief? – tends to accumulate political resources, concentrate decision making or control of decision making in their own hands, makes use of their strategic position to mobilise the machinery of government for action

Ideal-type image A taoiseach can exhibit a mixed set of characteristics, but these images capture two of the main ways in which incumbents can exercise power. A taoiseach can exhibit a mixed set of characteristics, but these images capture two of the main ways in which incumbents can exercise power. The office is partly shaped by the person who holds it; Haughey: instinct to be a chief, while Lynch preferred the chairman role The office is partly shaped by the person who holds it; Haughey: instinct to be a chief, while Lynch preferred the chairman role

Haughey: chief? A number of things conspired to limit him in this role: A number of things conspired to limit him in this role: –Factionalism within the party –Failure to secure a parliamentary majority –Economic circumstances

President and Taoiseach Both at the apex of the state; the top of the tree, so to speak Both at the apex of the state; the top of the tree, so to speak President: a symbolic role, representing the nation; little or no opportunity to control decision-making; above politics President: a symbolic role, representing the nation; little or no opportunity to control decision-making; above politics Taoiseach: is the ‘working’ part of the constitution, can control decision making and depending on circumstances can be a leader or manager Taoiseach: is the ‘working’ part of the constitution, can control decision making and depending on circumstances can be a leader or manager

Readings: Coakley and Gallagher, Politics in the Republic of Ireland, 3 rd edition chapter 9 Coakley and Gallagher, Politics in the Republic of Ireland, 3 rd edition chapter 9

Role of the Taoiseach The Taoiseach (the Head of the Irish Government) is appointed by the President (one of the three Houses of the Oireachtas) on the nomination of Dáil Éireann (The House of Representatives, the other House is the Senate or Seanad Éireann). The Taoiseach must resign on losing a vote of confidence in the Dáil. The Taoiseach answers questions in the Dáil where broad policy is concerned, or where issues specific to his department are concerned. The Taoiseach may also sponsor legislation which represents important new developments. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste (the deputy head of government), and the Minister for Finance must be members of Dáil Éireann. The other members of the Government must be members of either Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann but no more than two may be members of the Seanad. The Taoiseach nominates the Tánaiste and the other members of the Government for the approval of the Dáil and assigns the particular Departments to the Ministers on their appointment by the President. The Taoiseach also nominates the Attorney General for appointment by the President. The Taoiseach also has the power to advise the President to accept the resignation of Ministers. The Taoiseach also nominates eleven persons to serve in Seanad Éireann. The Taoiseach, as head of the Government, is the central co-ordinator of the work of the Ministers and their Departments of State. The Taoiseach also advises and guides the other members of the Government when faced particularly with issues requiring the successful working of the Government as a collective authority responsible to Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach will set broad Government policy. The Taoiseach keeps the President informed on domestic and international policy. The Taoiseach has certain statutory responsibilities for the reform of the law, for official statistics and for the administration of public services which are not the responsibility of any other member of the Government. The Taoiseach may decide that particular matters are of such importance or breadth that it is appropriate that they should come under the aegis of her or his authority and be brought under the responsibility of the Department of the Taoiseach. At present they would include the Strategic Management Initiative for the modernization of the public service; co-ordinating the contribution to government policy on Northern Ireland and on Irelands relations to the European Union;The Information Society Policy Unit; The National Economic and Social Council the National Economic and Social Forum; the Information Society Commission; the Government Press Service; the National Centre for Partnership and Performance and the coordination of relations with the social partners under the partnership agreements.

John A. Costello, who was not leader of his party, but an agreed choice to head the government, because the other parties refused to accept then Fine Gael Leader Richard Mulcahy as Taoiseach.)Fine GaelRichard Mulcahy Eamon de ValeraEamon de Valera, Fianna FáilFianna Fáil John A. CostelloJohn A. Costello, , Fine Gael/Labour/Clann na Poblachta & othersFine GaelLabourClann na Poblachta Eamon de ValeraEamon de Valera, , Fianna FáilFianna Fáil John CostelloJohn Costello, , Fine Gael/LabourFine GaelLabour Eamon de ValeraEamon de Valera, , Fianna FáilFianna Fáil Sean LemassSean Lemass, , Fianna FáilFianna Fáil Jack LynchJack Lynch, , Fianna FáilFianna Fáil Liam CosgraveLiam Cosgrave, , Fine Gael/LabourFine GaelLabour Jack LynchJack Lynch, , Fianna FáilFianna Fáil Charles HaugheyCharles Haughey, , Fianna FáilFianna Fáil Garret FitzGeraldGarret FitzGerald, , Fine Gael/LabourFine GaelLabour Charles HaugheyCharles Haughey, , Fianna FáilFianna Fáil Garret FitzGeraldGarret FitzGerald, , Fine Gael/LabourFine GaelLabour Garret FitzGeraldGarret FitzGerald 1987 minority Fine Gael govt after Labour withdrawal.Fine Gael Charles HaugheyCharles Haughey, , Fianna Fáil/Progressive DemocratFianna FáilProgressive Democrat Albert ReynoldsAlbert Reynolds, 1992 Fianna Fáil/Progressive DemocratsFianna FáilProgressive Democrats Albert ReynoldsAlbert Reynolds, , Fianna Fáil/LabourFianna FáilLabour John BrutonJohn Bruton, , Fine Gael/Labour/Democratic LeftFine GaelLabourDemocratic Left Bertie AhernBertie Ahern, 1997-present, Fianna Fáil/Progressive DemocratFianna FáilProgressive Democrat