Everything about T Naiste totally explained
The
Tánaiste (; plural:
Tánaistí [ˈtɑːnəʃtʲiː]), or, more formally,
An Tánaiste, is the
deputy prime minister of
Ireland. The
Taoiseach nominates a member of the
government to the position of Tánaiste.
Mary Coughlan currently holds the position of Tánaiste.
Tánaiste was originally the
Irish word for the heir of the chief (
taoiseach) or king (
rí), under the
Gaelic system of
tanistry.
Overview
The office was created in the 1937
Constitution of Ireland, replacing the previous office of
Vice-President of the Executive Council that had existed under the
Free State constitution.
The Tánaiste acts in the place of the Taoiseach during his or her temporary absence, and, until a successor has been appointed, in the event of the Taoiseach's death or permanent incapacitation. The Tánaiste must be a member of
Dáil Éireann, and is
ex-officio a member of the
Council of State. The Tánaiste would usually chair meetings of the government if the Taoiseach is absent or take questions on his behalf in the Dáil or
Seanad.
Aside from these duties, the title is largely honorific in practice. The constitution doesn't give the Tánaiste specific powers other than deputising for the Taoiseach. Under a coalition government the position is commonly held by the leader of the second-largest party who in this situation is free to head any department he or she wants. Recent Tánaistí, such as
Michael McDowell,
Mary Harney and
Dick Spring, have been leaders of smaller parties. In a single-party government the Tánaiste is often an 'elder statesman' holding one of the less important ministerial portfolios.
List of Tánaistí
Footnotes
Further Information
Get more info on 'T Naiste'.
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