His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State
Encyclopedia
His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State (HMGIFS) was the formal designation used by the Executive Council
(cabinet) of the Irish Free State
in formal correspondence between it and the United Kingdom
or other Commonwealth states.
The Irish Free State, which was a constitutional monarchy
, shared the same monarch as the United Kingdom, albeit from 1927 with a different title, "King of Ireland
". Though in Commonwealth theory full equality between the Irish Free State and the United Kingdom was only achieved in the late 1920s or early 1930s (depending on whether equality is regarded as having been achieved after the 1926 Commonwealth Conference or via the Statute of Westminster
in 1931) the Executive Council claimed equality from the formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 through the usage of the HMGIFS designation. Using that designation allowed it to assert that it was equal to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, and that its ministers were, like their British counterparts, Ministers of the Crown
.
Though still legally in existence, the designation was rarely used during the Executive Councils of Éamon de Valera
(1932-1937), as part of de Valera's process of Constitutional Autochthony
to downplay symbols linking Ireland to the crown. Nevertheless, in 1936 the Minister for Finance
under de Valera, Sean MacEntee
, admitted in Dáil Éireann
that he was still a "Minister of the Crown".
The term was abolished with the replacement of the Irish Free State by a new Irish state in 1937.
Executive Council of the Irish Free State
The Executive Council was the cabinet and de facto executive branch of government of the 1922–1937 Irish Free State. Formally, the role of the Executive Council was to "aid and advise" the Governor-General who would exercise the executive authority on behalf of the King...
(cabinet) of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
in formal correspondence between it and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
or other Commonwealth states.
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
, shared the same monarch as the United Kingdom, albeit from 1927 with a different title, "King of Ireland
King of Ireland
A monarchical polity has existed in Ireland during three periods of its history, finally ending in 1801. The designation King of Ireland and Queen of Ireland was used during these periods...
". Though in Commonwealth theory full equality between the Irish Free State and the United Kingdom was only achieved in the late 1920s or early 1930s (depending on whether equality is regarded as having been achieved after the 1926 Commonwealth Conference or via the Statute of Westminster
Statute of Westminster 1931
The Statute of Westminster 1931 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Passed on 11 December 1931, the Act established legislative equality for the self-governing dominions of the British Empire with the United Kingdom...
in 1931) the Executive Council claimed equality from the formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 through the usage of the HMGIFS designation. Using that designation allowed it to assert that it was equal to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, and that its ministers were, like their British counterparts, Ministers of the Crown
Minister of the Crown
Minister of the Crown is the formal constitutional term used in the Commonwealth realms to describe a minister to the reigning sovereign. The term indicates that the minister serves at His/Her Majesty's pleasure, and advises the monarch, or viceroy, on how to exercise the Crown prerogatives...
.
Though still legally in existence, the designation was rarely used during the Executive Councils of Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
(1932-1937), as part of de Valera's process of Constitutional Autochthony
Constitutional Autochthony
In political science, Constitutional autochthony is the process of asserting constitutional nationalism from an external legal or political power. The source of autochthony is the Greek word αὐτόχθων translated as springing from the land...
to downplay symbols linking Ireland to the crown. Nevertheless, in 1936 the Minister for Finance
Minister for Finance (Ireland)
The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
under de Valera, Sean MacEntee
Seán MacEntee
Seán MacEntee was an Irish politician. In a career that spanned over forty years as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála, MacEntee was one of the most important figures in post-independence Ireland. He served in the governments of Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass in a range of ministerial positions,...
, admitted in Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
that he was still a "Minister of the Crown".
The term was abolished with the replacement of the Irish Free State by a new Irish state in 1937.