Poblachta leader Seán MacBride refused to serve under Mulcahy because of his role in carrying out 77 executions under the government of the Irish Free State in the early 1920s during the Irish Civil War. Accordingly, Mulcahy bowed out in favour of former Attorney General John A. Costello. Costello found himself as leader of a disparate group of young and old politicians, republicans and Free Staters, conservatives and socialists. The government survived for three years, however, through the skill of Costello as Taoiseach and the independence of various ministers. Nomination of Taoiseach The members of the 13th Dáil first met on 18 February 1948. In the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader and outgoing Taoiseach Éamon de Valera and John A. Costello of Fine Gael were both proposed. The nomination of de Valera was defeated by 70 to 75, while the nomination of Costello was approved by 75 to 68. Costello was appointed as Taoiseach by President Seán T. O'Kelly. Members of the Government The Ministers of the Government were proposed by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil. They were appointed by the president on the same day. Parliamentary Secretaries On 24 February 1948, the Government appointed the Parliamentary Secretaries on the nomination of the Taoiseach. Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 became law on 21 December 1948. It repealed the Executive Authority (External Relations) Act 1936, removing any remaining external function of the British monarchy in Ireland. It also declared that the description of the state was the Republic of Ireland. The Act came into operation on Easter Monday, 18 April 1949. See also Dáil Éireann Constitution of Ireland Politics of the Republic of Ireland References Further reading Coalition governments of Ireland Governments of Ireland 1948 establishments in Ireland 1951 disestablishments in Ireland Cabinets established in 1948 Cabinets disestablished in 1951 13th Dáil Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations