Irish general election, 2002

The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday 17 May 2002, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. The newly elected 29th Dáil assembled on Thursday 6 June 2002.

The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throught the Republic of Ireland for 166 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann.

Overview

The general election was significant for a number of reasons:

• The election was considered a landslide for Fianna Fáil, with the party coming within a handful of seats from achieving an overall majority.
• The re-election of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats government, the first occasion since 1969 when an Irish government won re-election.
• The meltdown in Fine Gael support, which saw the main opposition party drop from 54 to 31 seats, lose all but two seats in Dublin, and several prominent members, including
  • Alan Dukes – Former Leader of Fine Gael.
  • Jim Mitchell – Deputy Leader of Fine Gael.
  • Nora Owen – Former Minister for Justice.
  • Austin Currie – Former Presidential Election candidate.
  • Jim Higgins – Former Chief Whip.
  • Alan Shatter – Member of the Fine Gael Front Bench.
• The electoral success of Sinn Féin, which increased its seat number from 1 to 5.
• The failure of the Labour Party, contrary to all expectations, to increase its seat total.
• The success of the Green Party, which increased its TDs from two to six, including its first TD outside of the capital, Dublin.
• The election of a large number of independent candidates.
• Being the first time electronic voting machines were used in an Irish election. They were used in two constituencies, Dublin West and Dublin North.

In the immediate aftermath of the election, Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan announced his resignation from the leadership. All other potential leaders having lost their seats, Enda Kenny was chosen as the new leader. Later in the year, Ruairí Quinn stepped down as leader of the Labour Party. He was replaced by Pat Rabbitte.

The 2002 election results provide little comfort for those who would like to see an alternative government in the lifetime of this Dáil. The non-government parties are fragmented and have major policy differences, and Fianna Fail can continue in government (with the support of independent TDs) even if the Progressive Democrats withdraw.

Statistical summary

¹ All 1997 Labour figures include Democratic Left totals.

By-elections

• On 11 March 2005 an Independent candidate took one seat from Fianna Fáil in Kildare North. On the same day Fine Gael retained a seat in the Meath constituency.

See also

• Government of the 29th Dáil
• Members of the 29th Dáil
• Irish general election, 2007 (a possibility)

External link

• Dáil General Election May 2002: Results and Transfer of Votes (PDF format)