List of Dáil by-elections explained
This is a list of by-elections to Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas, the Irish legislature. By-elections in Ireland occur to fill vacant seats which can be caused by the death, resignation, disqualification or expulsion of a sitting Teachta Dála (member of parliament). Under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, the writ for the by-election must be issued within six months of the vacancy.[1]
There have been 138 by-elections since 1923, to fill 140 vacancies. 93 of these were caused by the death of a sitting Teachta Dála (TD). There were no by-elections during the 3rd, 7th, 9th, 11th, 22nd, 25th and 26th Dála. The longest period without a by-election was almost 10 years between 1984 and 1994. The largest number of by-elections on one day was on 11 March 1925, when seven constituencies filled nine vacancies caused by the National Party's split from Cumann na nGaedheal. Those seven by-elections included two which filled two vacancies, via the single transferable vote. All the other by-elections have used its single-winner analogue, the alternative vote.
Twenty-five TDs who were elected at a by-election were not subsequently re-elected at a general election. The only person twice elected at by-elections was Thomas Hennessy.
First and Second Dáil
The First Dáil was established by Sinn Féin members returned in the 1918 election to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. Convention in the Commons was that the writ for a by-election be moved by a party colleague of the vacating member, which was impossible for the abstentionist Sinn Féin. There were three by-elections held for Westminster constituencies vacated by Unionist members during the lifetime of the First Dáil, all of whom took their seats in Westminster.
The Second Dáil comprised those returned in the 1921 elections to the House of Commons of Southern Ireland and the House of Commons of Northern Ireland. There were no by-elections to either body during the lifetime of the Second Dáil.
By-elections since 1923
By-elections in which seats changed parties are indicated with a grey background.
Vacancies not filled
When Pierce McCan died on 6 March 1919, his East Tipperary seat was left vacant at Westminster. In April 1919 a Dáil committee considering how to fill the vacancy considered allowing nomination by the Labour Party (which had stood aside in the 1918 election to avoid splitting the nationalist vote)[3] before recommending that the Sinn Féin constituency organisation should nominate.[4] However, in June 1919 the Dáil decided that "it was due to the memory of the late Pierce McCann that his place should not be filled at present".[5] Later vacancies were also left unfilled; when Diarmuid Lynch resigned his seat in 1920, Arthur Griffith said "as the letter of resignation was addressed to the people of South-East Cork, the next step in the matter lay with the South-East Cork Executive of Sinn Fein".[6] Asked in the Civil War about filling Third Dáil vacancies, W. T. Cosgrave as Chairman of the Provisional Government stated "the condition of the country scarcely warrants the holding of elections".[7]
In the first Dáil, four Sinn Féin TDs represented two constituencies: Éamon de Valera, Arthur Griffith, Eoin MacNeill and Liam Mellowes. Ordinarily, this would prompt them to choose one constituency to represent, and to move a writ for a by-election in the other constituency.
TDs who died after the dissolution of the Dáil
Outgoing TDs who died after the dissolution of the Dáil but before the following election did not create a vacancy, as there was no Dáil in being at the time of their death.
See also
References
- Book: Parliamentary election results in Ireland, 1918–92. Walker. Brian M.. Royal Irish Academy. Dublin. 1992. 0-901714-96-8. 0332-0286.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann By Elections 1923-2013. ElectionsIreland.org. 28 September 2019.
Notes and References
- 2011. 14. 2. Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011. 25 July 2011. 29 April 2021.
- Book: Laffan . Michael . The Resurrection of Ireland: The Sinn Féin Party, 1916–1923 . 1999 . Cambridge University Press . 9781139426299 . 309 . 13 August 2018 . en . 25 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210925160441/https://books.google.com/books?id=zbz6p-O39aoC&pg=PA309 . live .
- Book: Mitchell . Arthur . Revolutionary Government in Ireland: Dáil Éireann, 1919-22 . 1995 . Gill & MacMillan . 9780717114818 . 24 . en.
- Web site: East Tipperary Vacancy . Dáil Éireann debate . Oireachtas . 18 August 2018 . en-ie . 17 June 1919 . 14 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001807/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1919-06-17/17/ . live .
- Web site: Report of Select Committee on East Tipperary Vacancy . Dáil Éireann debate . Oireachtas . 13 August 2018 . en-ie . 17 June 1919 . 14 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001807/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1919-06-17/17/ . live .
- Web site: Resignation Of Deputy For South-East Cork . Dáil Éireann debate . Oireachtas . 13 August 2018 . en-ie . 6 August 1920 . 14 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001916/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1920-08-06/2/ . live .
- Web site: Cosgrave . W. T. . W. T. Cosgrave . [Questions] Vacant seats in the Dáil – Dáil Éireann (3rd Dáil)]. Oireachtas . 15 October 2020 . en-ie . 19 September 1922 . 14 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201114213908/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-09-19/7/ . live .
- News: Mr. Roger Sweetman's Position . R. M. . Sweetman . 4 . 10 September 2020 . The Irish Times . 28 January 1921.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Monday, 18 December 1922: Resignation of a Deputy. 1 November 2021. Houses of the Oireachtas. 1 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211101073140/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-12-18/10/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 25 January 1927: The Late Deputy Ledden.. 20 February 2022. Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220220143118/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1927-01-25/24/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 4 November 1931: Death of Deputies - Message of Condolence. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928132805/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1931-11-04/25/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 9 March 1932: Death of Former Members of Dáil. 11 October 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 2 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191102091004/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1932-03-09/6/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 19 October 1932: Death of Deputy F. Carney. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928132804/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1932-10-19/6/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 23 November 1932: Death of Deputy Thomas A. Carney. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928132804/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1932-11-23/22/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 4 November 1936: Death of Deputy J.M. Burke. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928132806/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1936-11-04/40/. live.
- Web site: Attorney-General's Judicial Appointment – Dáil Éireann (8th Dáil) – Vol. 64 No. 1 . Houses of the Oireachtas . 10 April 2022 . 4 November 1936 . 10 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220410111518/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1936-11-04/42/ . live .
- Web site: Deputy's Appointment to Judiciary – Dáil Éireann (8th Dáil) – Vol. 65 No. 1 . Houses of the Oireachtas . 3 February 1937 .
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 10 November 1937: Death of Deputy Eamonn Rice. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928132807/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1937-11-10/41/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 21 February 1940: Death of a Deputy. Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 December 2021. 13 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211213103638/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1940-02-21/37/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 19 June 1940: Death of a Deputy. 24 October 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 24 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191024164742/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1940-06-19/6/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 2 October 1940: Death of a Deputy. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190927145202/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1940-10-02/43/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 29 October 1941: Bás an Teachta Seán ó Muinghile. 3 November 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 2 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191102160145/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1941-10-29/39/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 14 April 1942: Death of Deputy T.P. Dowdall. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928132803/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1942-04-15/46/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 21 April 1942: Death of Deputy T. Kelly. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928132809/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1942-04-21/13/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 14 October 1942: Death of a Deputy. 3 November 2021. Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220415200123/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1942-10-14/41/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 3 February 1943: Death of Two Deputies. 11 September 2022. Houses of the Oireachtas.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 20 October 1943: Death of a Deputy. 12 October 2022. Houses of the Oireachtas.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 18 February 1948: Deceased Deputies.. 5 November 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 5 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191105184535/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1948-02-18/3/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 1 May 1951: Resignation of Deputy.. 28 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 28 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190928115838/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1951-05-01/37/. live.
- Web site: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Vol. 160 No. 9. 2 January 2023. 21 November 1956. Houses of the Oireachtas.
- Web site: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy – Dáil Éireann (16th Dáil) – Vol. 188 No. 1. 27 August 2022. 20 April 1961. Houses of the Oireachtas. 29 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191029173934/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1961-04-20/2/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 20 April 1961: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 29 October 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 29 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191029173934/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1961-04-20/2/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 16 February 1965: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 23 October 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191023193035/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1965-02-16/29/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 23 October 1968: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 26 November 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108055550/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1968-10-23/22/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 5 November 1968: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 25 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 25 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190925100026/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1968-11-05/27/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 4 February 1969: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 19 February 2022. Houses of the Oireachtas. 19 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219162410/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1969-02-04/28/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 25 October 1972: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 24 November 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 4 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191104071117/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1972-10-25/2/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 25 January 1977: Resignation of Member. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 4 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191104150857/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1977-01-25/34/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 19 May 1977: Resignation of Member. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 21 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191021122533/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1977-05-19/23/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 20 October 1981: Expressions of Sympathy. 26 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 26 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190926164242/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1981-10-20/19/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 21 October 1981: Issue of Writ: Motion. 26 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 17 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190817142935/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1981-10-21/3/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 26 January 1982: Issue of Writ: Cavan-Monaghan By-Election. 26 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 26 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190926164242/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-01-26/26/. live.
- Web site: Death of Member. - Expression of Sympathy – Dáil Éireann (23rd Dáil). 16 June 2022. 16 June 2022. Houses of the Oireachtas. 18 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201218071755/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-10-27/23/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 24 June 1986: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 10 December 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 10 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191210192149/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1986-06-24/18/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 25 January 1977: Resignation of Member. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 5 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191105175457/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1989-01-25/16/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 9 May 1989: Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy. 8 June 2021. Houses of the Oireachtas. 8 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608085050/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1989-05-09/24/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 9 February 2010: Resignation of Member. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115084931/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2010-02-09/6/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 24 March 2010: Resignation of Member. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 17 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200717120908/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2010-03-24/2/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 2 November 2010: Resignation of Member. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002327/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2010-11-02/2/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 1 February 2011: Announcement of Business. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 22 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191022092128/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2011-02-01/2/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 14 January 2016: Resignation of Member. 19 September 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 22 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191022095357/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2016-01-14/28/. live.
- Web site: Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday 4 December 2019: Resignation of Member. 9 December 2019. Houses of the Oireachtas. 9 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209130228/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2019-12-04/2/. live.
- News: Election Candidate Shot Dead . subscription . The Irish Times . 15 February 1932 . 9.