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Loss Of SupplyLoss of Supply occurs where a government in a parliamentary democracy is by parliamentary vote denied a supply of treasury or exchequer funds, by whichever house or houses of parliament is constitutionally entitled to grant and deny supply. A defeat on a budgetary vote is one such way by which supply can be denied. When a Loss of Supply occurs, a prime minister is generally required either by constitutional convention or by explicit constitutional instruction to: - immediately resign (so, allowing someone else to attempt to gain Supply), or
- seek a parliamentary dissolution (so allowing the electorate to pass judgment on the issue).
Some constitutions however do not allow the option of dissolution, instead requiring a resignation. A similar deadlock can occur within presidential systems where it is known as a budget crisis. In contrast to parliamentary systems, the failure of the legislature to authorize spending does not result in new elections because legislatures in such systems operate to fixed terms and so cannot be dissolved ahead of schedule, which can result in a prolonged crisis. Examples of Loss of Supply Footnotes 1 Article 28.2.2. of Bunreacht na hireann (the 1937 Irish constitution) states that - The Taoiseach shall resign from office upon his ceasing to retain the support of a majority in Dil ireann unless on his advice the President dissolves Dil ireann and on the reassembly of Dil ireann after the dissolution the Taoiseach secures the support of a majority in Dil ireann.
In tandem, Article 13.2.2. states that - The President may in absolute discretion refuse to dissolve Dil ireann on the advice of a Taoiseach who has ceased to retain the support of a majority in Dil ireann.
In such an eventuality the Taoiseach, in accordance with Article 28.2.2., must resign. Loss of Supply is taken as unambiguous evidence that a Taoiseach has "ceased to retain the support of a majority in Dil ireann", as is defeat of a Motion of Confidence, passage of a Motion of No Confidence, defeat of a major Bill or any measure a prime minister declares to be of such importance as to in effect amount to a confidence issue.
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