Confidence motions in Dáil Éireann

If a motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach or Government of Ireland is passed by Dáil Éireann, or a motion of confidence is defeated, then the Constitution requires both the Taoiseach and the Government to resign. After this, either a replacement Taoiseach is elected by the Dáil, or the Dáil is dissolved and a general election is held. Motions have twice brought down the government, in each case resulting in an election: in November 1982 and again in November 1992.

In the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, the minimum support necessary for a cabinet government to continue in office is confidence and supply from the responsible chamber, which in Ireland is the Dáil. Whereas in some jurisdictions the convention is for a prime minister who has lost confidence or supply to call an election, in Ireland he may be unable to do so. The post-1937 Constitution gives the President discretion to refuse to dissolve the Dáil when requested by a Taoiseach who has lost confidence. More often, the Taoiseach has dissolved the Dáil in the face of the imminent threat of losing a confidence motion: in September 1927,1938, 1944, 1951, 1957, and 1987. The 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State required an Executive Council which had lost the Dáil's confidence to have its approval for a dissolution;W. T. Cosgrave circumvented this in September 1927 by calling an election while the Dáil was adjourned.

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