Anthony Jordan has once again come up with an important historical treatise this time on John A Costello. He was struck by the fact that scarcely anything had been written about this Fine Gael politician who had served as Taoiseach twice from 1948-51 and 1954-57.

Costello represented Dublin South East constituency in the Dáil for more than thirty years. His wife, Ida Mary O'Malley from Glenamaddy, was a teacher at Dominican College, Eccles Street. They had fi ve children and lived at Herbert Park.

Costello had been Attorney General in WT Cosgrave's 1926-32 Government and when Fianna Fáil and DeValera lost the Election of 1948, the Opposition parties came together to form a new government. They persuaded Costello to leave his lucrative practice at the Bar and become Taoiseach.

There is a very interesting chapter on Noel Browne, who was Minister of Health and did great work combating tuberculosis. Browne had a major confrontation with the Catholics bishops and doctors over the Mother and Child Scheme in 1950-51. He antagonised his cabinet colleagues, who all refused him support. His Party leader, Sean MacBride forced his resignation.

Browne won the publicity war by releasing all the correspondence on the matter and is still regarded as something of a folk hero.

Costello returned to the Bar in 1951. His most famous case saw him defend 'The Leader' against a libel case taken by the poet, Patrick Kavanagh. The latter criticised Costello in court but apologised immediately. Costello replied, “Ah, Mr. Kavanagh, I don't mind. I didn't take offence from it.” Kavanagh lived in the constituency and voted for Costello, who subsequently became his patron, organising a job for him in UCD.

During his second government Costello oversaw the onset of economic planning, with Ken Whitaker appointed as Secretary in Finance and the establishment of the IDA.

Costello had to face down the IRA campaign of the 1950s. He made a State visit to the USA in 1956, at the invitation of President Eisenhower and Richard Nixon.

'John A Costello 1891-1976 Compromise Taoiseach' by Anthony J. Jordan, is published by westportbooks@yahoo.co.uk and is available at Books on the Green price €15 and other good book stores