Irish general election, 1977

Irish general election, 1977

1973 ← 16 June 1977 → 1981

outgoing members ← → TDs elected

147 of 148 seats in Dáil Éireann 74 seats were needed for a majority Turnout 76.3%   First party Second party Third party   Leader Jack Lynch Liam Cosgrave Brendan Corish Party Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Labour Party Leader since 9 November 1966 1965 1960 Leader's seat Cork City Dún Laoghaire Wexford Last election 69 seats, 46.2% 54 seats, 35.1% 19 seats, 13.7% Seats before 65 55 20 Seats won 84 43 17 Seat change 19 12 3 Percentage 50.6% 30.5% 11.6% Swing 4.4% 4.6% 2.1%

Percentage of seats gained by each of the three major parties, and number of seats gained by smaller parties and independents.

Taoiseach before election Liam Cosgrave Fine Gael Subsequent Taoiseach Jack Lynch Fianna Fáil

Liam Cosgrave
Fine Gael

Jack Lynch
Fianna Fáil

The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in twentieth-century Irish politics. The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. The number of seats in the Dáil was increased by 4 from 144 to 148. The newly elected 148 members of the 21st Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 5 July when a new Fianna Fáil government replaced the incumbent Fine Gael–Labour Party coalition, with Jack Lynch becoming Taoiseach for the second time.

In spite of having faced some controversial issues during its term of office, the ruling Fine Gael–Labour Party coalition looked set to defy political history by winning an unprecedented second term. This belief was further augmented following the so-called "Tullymander" of parliamentary constituencies. This refers to the Minister for Local Government James Tully, and his scheme of redrawing every constituency in the country in an effort to maximise the vote for the coalition partners. For instance in Dublin there were thirteen three-seat constituencies. It was hoped that the coalition partners would win two of the seats, leaving Fianna Fáil with only one seat. A similar tactic was used in rural areas where the party was at its strongest.

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Wikipedia