First Inter-Party Government

Clann na Poblachta

1. Clann na Poblachta was founded by Sean MacBride in 1946.

2. Seen as a radical party and appealed to disillusioned urban young workers and unemployed and republicans disenchanted by Fianna Fail.

3. The party grew rapidly advocating social reform, and improvements in health, education and housing.

4. Clann na Poblachta was poised for significant gains in the 1948 General Election.

1948 Election

1. In an attempt to cut across the growth of Clann na Poblachta, Eamon DeValera calls a snap election for 4th February 1948.

2. Fianna Fail altered the constituency boundaries in an attempt to win extra seats.

3. Clann na Poblachta accused of being communists

4. A desire for anyone but Fianna Fail

1948 Election

1. In an attempt to cut across the growth of Clann na Poblachta, Eamon DeValera calls a snap election for 4th February 1948.

2. Fianna Fail altered the constituency boundaries in an attempt to win extra seats.

3. Clann na Poblachta accused of being communists

4. A desire for anyone but Fianna Fail

Industry

1. Raw materials were again available after WW2

2. Irish manufacturing expanded by 50% between 1946-1949

3. Increased consumer spending from wartime savings was spent on foreign imports

4. Belief that government should invest in the economy to create more jobs

Agriculture

1. Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement with Britain

2. Improved prices and increased volumes of Irish agricultural produce

3. The Land Rehabilitation Project was established to bring uncultivated land into production. Despite large amounts of government money the numbers working on the land continued to drop

4. Continued dominance of pasture farming led to small farms being uneconomical

External Affairs

1. In 1948 Ireland became a founding member of the Council of Europe

2. In 1949 Ireland rejected an invitation to join NATO. MacBride declared that Ireland could not join as long as Britain continued to rule the North

3. Ireland joined the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as a condition for receiving money from the Marshall Plan

Declaring a Republic

1. During a visit to Canada in Sept 1948 Taoiseach John A. Costello made public an intention of declaring a republic

2. The Republic of Ireland became official at Easter 1949

Noel Browne - Minister for Health

1. The government backed an eradication programme to eliminate T.B.

2. Special hospitals (sanatoria) were built. By 1950 there were 5,500 hospital beds. New drugs helped.

3. Browne was forced to resign when he attempted to introduce the Mother and Child Scheme – free healthcare for Mothers and new born children.