The 1948 Irish general election was held on Wednesday, 4 February following the dissolution of the 12th Dáil on 12 January 1948. The 147 newly elected members of the 13th Dáil assembled on 18 February and the First Inter-Party government in the history of the Irish state was appointed. This election was the last one before Ireland's withdrawal from the British Commonwealth, and the declaration of the Republic of Ireland, which came into effect as from 18 April 1949 under The Republic of Ireland Act 1948.