Irish general election, 1973
Encyclopedia
The Irish general election of 1973 was held on 28 February 1973. The newly elected 144 members of the 20th Dáil
assembled at Leinster House
on 4 March when the new Taoiseach
and government were appointed.
The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies
throughout Ireland
for 144 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann
.
had been in power for almost sixteen consecutive years. During that period the party had seen three different leaders, Éamon de Valera
, Seán Lemass
and the current leader of the party, Jack Lynch
. As a result of this, much of the electorate believed it was time for a change of government. Lynch had hoped to dissolve
the Dáil in December 1972, however events conspired against him and the election was eventually called for February 1973.
While Fine Gael
and the Labour Party
had pursued their own opposition policies since 1957 they now realised that the only way to oust Fianna Fáil would be to join forces. Not long after the general election was called both parties agreed to a pre-election pact in order to fight the election together on the issues that united them. The National Coalition
as it was known offered the electorate the first alternative credible government in many years.
While Fianna Fáil actually increased its percentage of the vote, it lost seats. The increase in the percentage was remarkable considering the party had been in power for so long, and also because of the "Arms Crisis
". A clever use of transfers between the National Coalition parties in the
single transferable vote
system enabled a change of government to take place.
Coverage of the general election by the national broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann
, also saw a unique event. Jack Lynch, in an interview with Brian Farrell
on the programme, became the first Taoiseach to concede defeat live on Irish television. Although the full result was not known Lynch was certain that the transfers to other candidates would result in Fianna Fáil losing the general election.
Members of the 20th Dáil
This is a list of the members who were elected to the 20th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. These TDs were elected at the 1973 general election on 26 February 1973 and met on 4 March 1973. The 20th Dáil was dissolved by President Patrick Hillery, at the request of the...
assembled at Leinster House
Leinster House
Leinster House is the name of the building housing the Oireachtas, the national parliament of Ireland.Leinster House was originally the ducal palace of the Dukes of Leinster. Since 1922, it is a complex of buildings, of which the former ducal palace is the core, which house Oireachtas Éireann, its...
on 4 March when the new Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
and government were appointed.
The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies
Parliamentary constituencies in the Republic of Ireland
The lower house of the Oireachtas , Dáil Éireann, contains 166 Teachtaí Dála , representing 43 parliamentary constituencies throughout the Republic of Ireland. Depending on its size, each constituency must have at least 3 members and a maximum of five members. The most recent ratio indicates that...
throughout Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
for 144 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
.
Campaign
By the time the general election was called in 1973, Fianna FáilFianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
had been in power for almost sixteen consecutive years. During that period the party had seen three different leaders, Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
, Seán Lemass
Seán Lemass
Seán Francis Lemass was one of the most prominent Irish politicians of the 20th century. He served as Taoiseach from 1959 until 1966....
and the current leader of the party, Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
. As a result of this, much of the electorate believed it was time for a change of government. Lynch had hoped to dissolve
Dissolution of parliament
In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election.Usually there is a maximum length of a legislature, and a dissolution must happen before the maximum time...
the Dáil in December 1972, however events conspired against him and the election was eventually called for February 1973.
While Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
and the Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
had pursued their own opposition policies since 1957 they now realised that the only way to oust Fianna Fáil would be to join forces. Not long after the general election was called both parties agreed to a pre-election pact in order to fight the election together on the issues that united them. The National Coalition
Government of the 20th Dáil
The 20th Dáil was elected at the 1973 general election on 28 February 1973 and first met on 14 March when the 14th Government of Ireland was appointed...
as it was known offered the electorate the first alternative credible government in many years.
While Fianna Fáil actually increased its percentage of the vote, it lost seats. The increase in the percentage was remarkable considering the party had been in power for so long, and also because of the "Arms Crisis
Arms Crisis
The Arms Crisis or Arms Trial was a political scandal in the Republic of Ireland in 1970, when two cabinet ministers — Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney — were sacked for allegedly attempting to illegally import arms for the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland.-Background:The...
". A clever use of transfers between the National Coalition parties in the
single transferable vote
Single transferable vote
The single transferable vote is a voting system designed to achieve proportional representation through preferential voting. Under STV, an elector's vote is initially allocated to his or her most preferred candidate, and then, after candidates have been either elected or eliminated, any surplus or...
system enabled a change of government to take place.
Coverage of the general election by the national broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
, also saw a unique event. Jack Lynch, in an interview with Brian Farrell
Brian Farrell
Brian Farrell is an Irish author, journalist, academic & broadcaster.-Early life:Although born in Manchester, England, Farrell moved to Dublin, Ireland during the Second World War. He was educated in Ireland at , Dublin, University College Dublin and Harvard University in the United States...
on the programme, became the first Taoiseach to concede defeat live on Irish television. Although the full result was not known Lynch was certain that the transfers to other candidates would result in Fianna Fáil losing the general election.
Result
|}- Fine Gael–Labour Party coalition government formed. Turnout: 76%
First time TDs
The following 22 TDs were elected for the first time:- Liam AhernLiam AhernLiam Ahern , also known as William Ahern, was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann....
- Joseph BerminghamJoseph BerminghamJoseph Bermingham was an Irish Labour Party politician.Bermingham was born in Castlemitchell, County Kildare. He was educated at the Christian Brothers school in Athy and the O'Brien Institute in Dublin. Bermingham worked as a shopkeeper before being elected in 1967 as a member of Kildare...
- Ruairí BrughaRuairi BrughaRuairí Brugha was an Irish Republican and IRA volunteer who became a Fianna Fáil politician, serving as a Teachta Dála , senator and Member of the European Parliament .- Family and early life :...
- Ray Burke
- Johnny CallananJohnny CallananJohnny Callanan was an Irish Fianna Fáil party politician from County Galway.Callanan was born in the village of Kilconnell, near Ballinasloe, County Galway, to a farming family...
- Seán CallearySeán CallearySeán Calleary is a former Irish politician. He was a Fianna Fáil member of Dáil Éireann from 1973 to 1992 representing the Mayo East constituency....
- Brendan DalyBrendan DalyBrendan Daly , is a former Fianna Fáil Party politician in Ireland. He was a long-serving Teachta Dála for Clare, a government minister, and Senator....
- John EsmondeSir John Esmonde, 16th BaronetSir John Henry Grattan Esmonde, 16th Baronet of the Esmonde Baronets, was an Irish Fine Gael politician. A Senior Counsel by profession, Esmonde was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1973 general election as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency...
- Joseph FarrellJoseph FarrellJoseph Farrell was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1961 on the Labour Panel and was re-elected to the Seanad in 1965 and 1969. Farrell was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Louth constituency at the 1973 general election and was...
- Denis GallagherDenis GallagherDenis Gallagher was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He served as Minister for the Gaeltacht on two occasions....
- Brendan Griffin
- Patrick HegartyPatrick HegartyPatrick Hegarty was an Irish Fine Gael politician and farmer. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála for the Cork North East constituency at the 1973 general election and was re-elected at each subsequent election until he was defeated at the 1989 general election...
- John KellyJohn M. Kelly (politician)John Maurice Kelly was an Irish legal academic and senior Fine Gael politician.-Education:Kelly received his primary and secondary education at St Conleth's College in Dublin 4 and at the Glenstal Abbey boarding school in County Limerick, respectively.He attended University College Dublin between...
- Jimmy LeonardJimmy LeonardJimmy Leonard is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the constituency of Cavan–Monaghan. Leonard was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1973 general election...
- Charles McDonaldCharles McDonald (Irish politician)Charles "Charlie" McDonald is a former Fine Gael politician from County Laois in Ireland. He was a senator from 1961 to 1973 and from 1977 to 1992 , a Teachta Dála from 1973 to 1977, and a Member of the European Parliament from 1973 to 1979.A farmer before entering politics, he...
- Ciarán MurphyCiarán MurphyCiarán Murphy is a retired Irish Fianna Fáil party politician who was a Teachta Dála for Wicklow from 1973 to 1982.A secondary school teacher before entering politics, Murphy was elected to Dáil Éireann on his first attempt, at the 1973 general election...
- Fergus O'BrienFergus O'BrienFergus O'Brien is a former Irish Fine Gael politician, and a former Teachta Dála .Fergus O'Brien was born in Dublin in 1930. He was educated at the College of Technology at Bolton Street before becoming involved in politics. O'Brien was elected to Dáil Éireann on his second attempt at the 1973...
- John RyanJohn Ryan (Irish politician)John J. Ryan is a retired Irish Labour Party politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1973 general election as a Teachta Dála for Tipperary North. He was re-elected at each subsequent general election until he lost his seat at the 1987 general election. He was elected to the...
- Myles StauntonMyles StauntonMyles Staunton was a Irish Fine Gael politician and businessman.He first stood for election at the 1969 general election for the Mayo West constituency but was unsuccessful. He was elected for Mayo West as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála at the 1973 general election...
- Seán Walsh
- James WhiteJames White (Irish businessman)"Jim" White is an Irish businessman and hotelier, and a former Fine Gael Teachtaí Dála for constituencies in County Donegal....
- John WilsonJohn P. WilsonJohn Patrick Wilson was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was first elected as a Teachta Dála for Cavan in 1973 and served in Dáil Éireann until 1992...
By-elections
- Máire Geoghegan-QuinnMáire Geoghegan-QuinnMáire Geoghegan-Quinn is an Irish politician, and is the current European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. She previously served as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Galway West constituency from 1975 to 1997...
- Enda KennyEnda KennyEnda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
- Brendan ToalBrendan ToalBrendan Toal is a former Fine Gael politician in the Republic of Ireland. He was Teachta Dála for Monaghan from 1973 to 1977....
- Michael Kitt
- Brendan HalliganBrendan HalliganBrendan Halligan is an Irish economist and a former Labour Party politician.Brendan Halligan was born in Dublin in 1936. Educated at St James’s Christian Brothers School and Kevin Street College of Technology, Dublin, his early career was as an economist. He worked with the Irish Sugar Company...
- Paddy KeaveneyPaddy KeaveneyPatrick "Paddy" Keaveney was an Co-operative manager from County Donegal and a politician of the Independent Fianna Fáil party, who was a Teachta Dála for one year....
Outgoing TDs
- Frank AikenFrank AikenFrank Aiken was a commander of the Irish Republican Army and later an Irish politician. A founding-member of Fianna Fáil, Aiken was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1923 and at each subsequent election until 1973...
(Retired) - Terence BoylanTerence Boylan (Irish politician)Terence Boylan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and businessman. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Kildare constituency at the 1964 by-election caused by the death of William Norton of the Labour Party...
(Lost seat) - Michael HilliardMichael HilliardMichael Hilliard was an Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician.He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1943 general election, as a TD for Meath–Westmeath. During his career he served in the governments of Seán Lemass and Jack Lynch...
(Lost seat) - John O'Donovan (Lost seat)
- Micheál Ó MóráinMicheál Ó MóráinMicheál Ó Móráin was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who served in a wide number of Cabinet minister from 1957 until 1970, most notably as Minister for Justice and Minister for the Gaeltacht....
(Lost seat)
See also
- Members of the 20th DáilMembers of the 20th DáilThis is a list of the members who were elected to the 20th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. These TDs were elected at the 1973 general election on 26 February 1973 and met on 4 March 1973. The 20th Dáil was dissolved by President Patrick Hillery, at the request of the...
- Government of the 20th DáilGovernment of the 20th DáilThe 20th Dáil was elected at the 1973 general election on 28 February 1973 and first met on 14 March when the 14th Government of Ireland was appointed...
- Ministers of State of the 20th Dáil