Taoiseach
The head of government and leader of the cabinet in Ireland is titled An Taoiseach (IPA: [t̪ˠiːʃʲəx], phonetic: TEE-shock — plural: Taoisigh ([t̪ˠiːʃʲɪj] or [t̪ˠiːʃʲɪɟ]), an Irish language term translating as "the leader". The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, and must, while he or she remains in office, enjoy the confidence of the Dáil. The position was created under the 1937 Constitution of Ireland, replacing the President of the Executive Council.
The Taoiseach is one of three government positions that must come from the membership of Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach has an almost identical job description as the British Prime Minister.
Powers
The Taoiseach nominates up to fourteen other ministers, and has the power to ask for the resignation of ministers. He also appoints eleven members to Seanad Éireann.
List of Taoisigh
| No. | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Éamon de Valera | December 29, 1937 | 18 February, 1948 | Fianna Fáil |
| 2. | John A. Costello | February 18, 1948 | June 13, 1951 | Fine Gael |
| Éamon de Valera (2nd time) | June 13, 1951 | June 2, 1954 | Fianna Fáil | |
| John A. Costello (2nd time) | June 2, 1954 | March 20, 1957 | Fine Gael | |
| Éamon de Valera (3rd time) | March 20, 1957 | June 23, 1959 | Fianna Fáil | |
| 3. | Sean Lemass | June 23, 1959 | November 10, 1966 | Fianna Fáil |
| 4. | Jack Lynch | November 10, 1966 | March 14, 1973 | Fianna Fáil |
| 5. | Liam Cosgrave | March 14, 1973 | July 5, 1977 | Fine Gael |
| Jack Lynch (2nd time) | July 5, 1977 | December 11, 1979 | Fianna Fáil | |
| 6. | Charles J. Haughey | December 11, 1979 | June 30, 1981 | Fianna Fáil |
| 7. | Garret FitzGerald | June 30, 1981 | March 9, 1982 | Fine Gael |
| Charles J. Haughey (2nd time) | March 9, 1982 | December 14, 1982 | Fianna Fáil | |
| Garret FitzGerald (2nd time) | December 14, 1982 | March 10, 1987 | Fine Gael | |
| Charles J. Haughey (3rd time) | March 10, 1987 | February 11, 1992 | Fianna Fáil | |
| 8. | Albert Reynolds | February 11, 1992 | December 15, 1994 | Fianna Fáil |
| 9. | John Bruton | December 15, 1994 | June 26, 1997 | Fine Gael |
| 10. | Bertie Ahern | June 26, 1997 | May 6, 2008 | Fianna Fáil |
| 10. | Brian Cowen | May 7, 2008 | incumbent | Fianna Fáil |