The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland, led by the Taoiseach and held accountable to the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. It is responsible for administering state departments, formulating national policy, and directing public administration under the principle of collective responsibility. Established by the 1937 Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann), it succeeded the Executive Council of the Irish Free State which had governed since 1922.