The 1938 Irish general election was held on Friday, 17 June. The 138 newly elected members of the 10th Dáil assembled on 30 June when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed. Fianna Fáil retained power, and won the first overall majority in the history of the State. It was a snap election, the proximate cause being the government's loss of an opposition motion recommending use of arbitration to resolve Civil Service labour disputes. The general election took place in 34 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 138 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann.