The TánaisteTánaiste is Irish. It may be pronounced "taw-nish-tah" or "taw-nush-tah". (plural: Tánaistithe), or, more formally, An Tánaiste, is the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland. The Tánaiste is appointed by the President of Ireland upon the nomination of the Taoiseach (prime minister). The present Tánaiste is Mary Harney, TD, the leader of the Progressive Democrats party.

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. Tánaiste was historically an Irish word for the heir of a Gaelic king, under the system of tanistry.

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 Eireann, and is ex-officio a member of the Council of State.

The title is in practice largely honorific. 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. In a single-party government the Tánaiste is often an 'elder statesman' holding one of the less important ministerial portfolios.

List of Tánaistithe

Footnotes