The Emergency (Ireland)

Emergency Service Medal
Front view
Obverse : Ré na Práinne "The Emergency Period"
Back view
Reverse : Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil 1939–1946

The Emergency (Irish: Ré na Práinne / An Éigeandáil) was a state of emergency in the independent state of Ireland in the Second World War,[1] throughout which the state remained neutral. It was proclaimed by Dáil Éireann on 2 September 1939,[2] allowing the passage of the Emergency Powers Act 1939 by the Oireachtas the following day.[3] This gave sweeping powers to the government, including internment, censorship of the press and correspondence, and control of the economy. The Emergency Powers Act lapsed on 2 September 1946, although the Emergency was not formally ended until 1976.[4][5]

  1. ^ Spelman, Greg (2004). "Ireland's Neutrality Policy in World War II: The Impact of Belligerent Pressures on the Implementation of Neutrality". UCLA Historical Journal. 20: 60–82: 60. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Existence of National Emergency". Dáil Debates. 77. Government of Ireland: No.1 p.8 cc.19–20. 2 September 1939. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Emergency Powers Act, 1939". Government of Ireland. 3 September 1939. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2007.
  4. ^ "Emergency Powers (Continuance and Amendment) Act, 1945". Government of Ireland. 29 July 1945. pp. §4(1). Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2007. The Principal Act shall, unless previously terminated under subsection (2) of this section, continue in force until the 2nd day of September, 1946, and shall then expire unless the Oireachtas otherwise determines.
  5. ^ "National Emergency: Motion (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. 292. Government of Ireland: 119–256. 1 September 1976. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2016. Mr. Kelly: All the 1939 emergency legislation lapsed not later than 1946.