Elections for the Dáil Éireann 2002

← 1997Elections for the Dáil Éireann 20022007 →

(Turnout 62.6%)

 %

50

40

30th

20th

10

0

41.48

22.48

10.77

6.51

3.96

3.85

0.80

10.14

FF

FG

ILP ^c

SF

PD

GP

SP

Otherwise.

Gains and losses

compared to 1997

 % p

   4th

   2

   0

  -2

  -4

  -6

+2.15

-5.47

-2.14

+3.96

-0.72

+1.09

+0.10

+0.32

FF

FG

ILP ^c

SF

PD

GP

SP

Otherwise.

Remarks:

^c 1997 Sum of the results from ILP and DL

Distribution of seats

        

A total of 166 seats

• Otherwise: 1
• SF : 5
• GP : 6
• ILP : 20
• FF : 82
• PD : 8
• FG : 31
• Independent: 13

The elections for the Dáil Éireann 2002 took place on May 17, 2002 . The members of the 29th Dáil were determined.

2002 result

Fianna Fáil achieved high profits and was close to an absolute majority and the re-election of the Fianna Fáil - Progressive Democrats coalition is the first re-election of a coalition in the history of Ireland. In contrast, Fine Gael suffers landslide losses and loses all but 3 seats in Dublin, including many prominent members. Sinn Féin can expand its seats, whereas the Labor Party can only narrowly gain despite the large profits forecast before the election. The Greens were also able to increase their number of seats and for the first time have a seat outside of Dublin.

This was the first time that electronic voting machines were used in Irish elections in 3 constituencies: Meath, Dublin West and Dublin North.

Shortly after the election, Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan resigned and Enda Kenny took his place. Later that year, Labor leader Ruairí Quinn resigned and was replaced by Pat Rabbitte .

The 166 parliamentarians first met on June 6, 2002.

The 2002 election results offered very little prospect of an alternative government during the Dáil's tenure. The opposition parties have no common line, and Fianna Fáil's position is so solid that even if the Progressive Democrats leave the government, they could be offset by independents.

Political party	leader	Distribution of seats			By-elections (5)
		number	±	%-Distribution	Lost	Won	To keep	±
Fianna Fáil	Bertie Ahern	82	+4	49.40%	3			−4
Fine Gael	Michael Noonan	31	−23	18.68%		1	1	+1
Labor Party	Ruairí Quinn	20th	+3	12.05%
Progressive Democrats	Mary Harney	8th	+4	4.82%
Green Party / Comhaontas glass	Trevor Sargent	6th	+4	3.61%
Sinn Féin	Gerry Adams	5	+4	3.01%
Socialist Party	Joe Higgins	1		0.60%
Independent		13	+8	7.83%	1	3		+2
Others (Democratic Left)		0	−4
		166	± 0

Individual evidence

1. ↑ The (+/-) comparisons each refer to the previous election and do not take into account any seat shifts caused by by-elections.
2. ↑ If a member of parliament leaves (e.g. through resignation, exclusion or death), his seat must be reassigned in a by-election . This can lead to a loss or gain of seats for individual parties. The number in brackets indicates the number of post-election dates; several seats can be re-elected on one appointment. This list includes seat changes due to changes in the party of individual parliamentarians.
3. ↑ As of August 2005.