Minister for Supplies
An tAire Soláthairtí
Department of Supplies
Member of
Reports toTaoiseach
NominatorTaoiseach
AppointerPresident of Ireland on the nomination of the Taoiseach
Formation8 September 1939
First holderSeán Lemass
Final holderSeán Lemass
Abolished1 August 1945

The Minister for Supplies (Irish: An tAire Soláthairtí) was created by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939, to assist Ireland through World War II, or the Emergency, as it was referred to by the Government of Ireland.[1] Although the legislation creating the new department was not passed until 21 December 1939, it was given retrospective effect, and was deemed to have come into force on 8 September 1939.[2]

The Minister for Supplies was charged with controlling production, distribution and pricing of vital supplies during the Emergency. According to the historian Bryce Evans, Minister Seán Lemass introduced full rationing in Ireland 'too late', ensuring the black market trumped later state attempts at equitable distribution amid the British wartime supply squeeze.[3] Earlier historians had pointed to Lemass's successes in stockpiling essential goods.[citation needed]

The minister's functions were transferred to the Minister for Industry and Commerce on abolition of the office on 1 August 1945.[4][5] Lemass had been serving in both positions from 1941.

Name Term of office Political party Governments
Seán Lemass 8 September 1939 1 August 1945 Fianna Fáil 2nd • 3rd • 4th

References

  1. ^ "Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939, Section 2: The Department of Supplies". Irish Statute Book. 21 December 1939. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939, Section 12: Commencement". Irish Statute Book. 21 December 1939. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  3. ^ Evans, Bryce (2014). Farewell to Plato's Cave.
  4. ^ "Minister For Supplies (Transfer of Functions) Act 1945, Section 3: Transfer of functions of Minister for Supplies and abolition of office". Irish Statute Book. 11 July 1945. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Minister for Supplies (Transfer of Functions) Act 1945 (Appointed Day) Order 1945". Irish Statute Book. 20 July 1945. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.

See also

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