Before entering upon the Orders of the Day I have to make announcements as follows:—

I have received from the Secretary to the President a copy of the Proclamation issued on the 12th January, 1948, dissolving Dáil Éireann and summoning that House to meet on the 18th February, 1948.

I have received from the Secretary to the Government a letter dated 18th February, 1948, informing me of the nomination and appointment of the Taoiseach and Members of Government.

I have received further letters dated the 25th and 27th February, 1948, from the Secretary to the Government informing me of the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries.

I wish also to acquaint the House that I have received letters from Deputies (former Senators) Gerard Sweetman and David J. Madden informing me that they have been elected members of Dáil Éireann.

I have given directions to have the copy of the Proclamation and copies of the letters referred to set out in extenso in the usual manner in the Journal of the House. Consequent on these announcements they will also of course be printed in the Official Reports of Debates.

MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES.

ROINN AN TAOISIGH,

Baile Atha Cliath.

CLÉIREACH AN TSEANAID.

Tá orm a chur in iúl go bhfuil

(1) an tUachtarán, ar ainmniú Dháil Éireann, tar éis Seán Ua Coisdealbha (John A. Costello) a cheapadh inniu (an 18ú lá den mhí seo), de bhun Airteagail 13.1.1º den Bhunreacht, chun bheith ina Taoiseach;

(2) an tUachtarán, ar ainmniú an Taoisigh, le comhaontadh Dháil Éireann roimh ré, tar éis na daoine seo a leanas a cheapadh inniu (an 18ú lá den mhí seo), de bhun Airteagail 13.1.2º den Bhunreacht, chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí den Rialtas agus chun bheith, i dteannta an Taoisigh, ina Rialtas:—

Liam Ó Neachtain (William Norton),

Risteárd Ua Maolchatha (Richard Mulcahy),

Seán Mac Giolla Bhríghde (Seán MacBride),

Seósamh Ó Bláthmhaic (Joseph Blowick),

Séamus Eabhróid (James Everett),

Séamus Díolún (James M. Dillon),

Pádraig Mac Giollagáin (Patrick McGilligan),

Seán Mac Eoin (Seán MacEoin),

Tomás Ó hUigín (Thomas F. O'Higgins),

Dómhnall Ó Muirgheasa (Daniel Morrissey),

Tadhg Ó Murchadhá (Timothy Joseph Murphy),

agus

Noel de Brún (Noel C. Browne);

(3) an Taoiseach tar éis Liam Ó Neachtain (William Norton) d'ainmniú inniu (an 18ú lá den mhí seo) de bhun Airteagail 28.6.1º den bhunreacht, chun bheith ina Thánaiste; agus

(4) an Taoiseach, i bhfeidhmiú na cumhachta a bheirtear dó le halt 4 (1) den Acht Airí agus Rúnaithe (Leasú), 1946, tar éis na Ranna Stáit seo a leannas a shannadh inniu (an 18ú lá den mhí seo) do na comhaltaí faoi seach den Rialtas a luaitear a n-ainmneacha os coinne ainmneacha na Rann:—

(Sgd.) M. O MUIMHNEACHAIN,

Rúnai.