Governor-General's Address to Dáil Éireann

[2] The first address was delivered by the newly appointed Governor-General, Timothy Michael Healy, on 12 December 1922, six days after the coming into existence of the Irish Free State.

Members of Seanad Éireann, at the invitation of the Ceann Comhairle, assembled in the Dáil chamber to witness the Speech.

With all my heart I pray that the blessing of God may rest upon you and upon the Ministers of the Irish Free State in the difficult task committed to your charge.In the Speech itself, which was written by the Executive Council, the Governor-General told members of the creation of the Boundary Commission.

Accordingly it becomes the duty now of my Government to take such steps as may be necessary for constituting the Commission which is to determine in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants, so far as may be compatible with economic and geographic conditions, the boundaries between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland.Members were also informed of forthcoming legislation that would deal with the implementation of the Irish Free State Constitution, the creation of a new judiciary, reform of the Poor Law, the creation in law of the Civil Guards (later named the Garda Síochána) and other legal reforms.

The second Governor-General's Address was delivered in the Dáil on 3 October 1923, shortly after the Oireachtas reconvened after the 27 August general election.