The outgoing minority coalition government of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Clann na Talmhan had failed to be returned.

The 9th government of Ireland (23 June 1959 – 11 November 1961) was led by Seán Lemass as Taoiseach and lasted for 2 years, 141 days.

[2] After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Éamon de Valera proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.

[15] On 29 October 1958, William Norton, leader of the Labour Party, tabled a vote of no confidence in the government.

[17] The government proposed the Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill 1958, which would have altered the electoral system from proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote to first past the post.

On 23 June 1959, in the debate on the nomination of Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil leader Seán Lemass was proposed.

[26] Gerard Bartley was appointed to government on 23 July and the changestook effect when the Department of Transport and Power was established.