The Centenary Of The Irish Free State Constitution

"The Irish Free State (Irish: Saorstát Éireann Irish pronunciation: [si?sta?t e?n]; 6 December 1922? 29 December 1937) was the state established in 1922 as a Dominion of the British Empire under the Anglo-Irish Treaty signed by British and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand. On the day the Irish Free State was established, it comprised the entire island of Ireland, but as expected Northern Ireland almost immediately exercised its right under the treaty to remove itself from the new state. The Irish Free State effectively replaced both the self-proclaimed Irish Republic (founded 21 January 1919) and the Provisional Government of Southern Ireland. W.T. Cosgrave, the first President of the Irish Free State had led both of these "governments" since August 1922. The Irish Free State came to an end in 1937, when the citizens voted by referendum to replace the 1922 constitution. It was succeeded by the sovereign and current state of Ireland, which until 1949 was often referred to as Eire."--Wikipedia.

Originally published in 1936, this book provides an accurate and critical analysis of government in the Irish Free State, its principles, structure, philosophy and direction. It discusses clearly and impartially not only the failure of the Treaty settlement but also the electoral system, the legislature, the increase of executive power and the growth of administrative law and justice.

The Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922 (Session 2) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, passed in 1922 to enact in UK law the Constitution of the Irish Free State, and to ratify the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty formally.

The Irish Free State (Irish: Saorst�t �ireann); 6 December 1922 - 29 December 1937) was an independent state established in 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. That treaty ended the three-year Irish War of Independence between the forces of the self-proclaimed Irish Republic, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and British Crown forces.The Free State was established as a Dominion of the British Commonwealth of Nations. It comprised 26 of the 32 counties of Ireland. Northern Ireland, which comprised the remaining six counties, exercised its right under the Treaty to opt out of the new state. The Free State government consisted of the Governor-General, the representative of the king, and the Executive Council, which replaced both the revolutionary D�il Government and the Provisional Government set up under the Treaty. W. T. Cosgrave, who had led both of these governments since August 1922, became the first President of the Executive Council. The legislature consisted of D�il �ireann (the lower house) and Seanad �ireann, also known as the Senate. Members of the D�il were required to take an Oath of Allegiance, swearing fidelity to the king. The oath was a key issue for opponents of the Treaty, who refused to take the oath and therefore did not take their seats. Pro-Treaty members, who formed Cumann na nGaedheal in 1923, held an effective majority in the D�il from 1922 to 1927, and thereafter ruled as a minority government until 1932.