This article or section contains information about an upcoming or ongoing election. Content may change dramatically as the election approaches and unfolds.

The 30th Irish General Election will be held in 2006 or 2007, after the dissolution of the 29th Dáil by the President, at the request of the Taoiseach. The population will elect the members of the 30th Dáil who will assemble shortly afterward to elect a Taoiseach following agreement on the Government of the 30th Dáil. Image File history File links free clipart image of ballot box and ballot File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election. ... This is a list of the members who were elected to the 29th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (legislature) of the Republic of Ireland. ... The President of Ireland (Irish: Uachtarán na hÉireann) is the head of state of the Republic of Ireland. ... The Taoiseach (plural: Taoisigh) or, more formally, An Taoiseach, is the head of government of the Republic of Ireland and the leader of the Irish cabinet. ... The Taoiseach (plural: Taoisigh) or, more formally, An Taoiseach, is the head of government of the Republic of Ireland and the leader of the Irish cabinet. ... The Government of the 30th Dáil will be appointed following the 30th Irish general election. ...

The general election will take place in 43 parliamentary constituencies throughout the Republic of Ireland for 166 Dáil Éireann seats. The lower house of the Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann, currently contains 166 Teachtaí Dála (TDs), representing 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout the Republic of Ireland. ... The Dáil Chamber Dáil Éireann is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ...

Election date

Per the Constitution of Ireland, the election need not occur until May 2007, 5 years after the previous election, which took place on May 17, 2002. The Constitution of Ireland is the founding legal document of the state known today as the Republic of Ireland. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ... For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ...

The date is selected by the Taoiseach. Bertie Ahern extended the life of the 28th Dáil as long as possible and only called the previous election at the end of the allowable time-window. After the election he commented that his prior confirmation of this policy had caused problems in the last year of his administration.[1]. There was speculation in 2005 that he may move to dissolve parliament early in order to catch the opposition off guard. The selection of the election date could also be influenced by opinion polls and indications of the level of public support for the current governing coalition. Patrick Bartholemew Ahern (Irish name: Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn) (born 12 September 1951), commonly called Bertie Ahern, is an Irish politician. ... 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. ... On Thursday, June 26, 2002, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, on the nomination of the 29th Dáil Éireann, appointed Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach. ...

In 2005, in anticipation of the election date, the parties began candidate selections and from mid-2005 some current TDs announced their retirement plans. This is a list of the members who were elected to the 29th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (legislature) of the Republic of Ireland. ...

In early 2006, all comments by the Taoiseach, Taniste, and the media referred to the election taking place in 2007

The Campaign

As a result of low opinion poll ratings for the current government, analysts expect the next general election to be one of the most bitter and close fought in decades.

This election is expected to be a clear contest between the current Fianna Fail-PD administration and a possible "Rainbow" government of Fine Gael-Labour-Green.

Constituency changes

See Parliamentary constituencies in the Republic of Ireland and Electoral (Amendment) Act 2005 for full details of the constituencies for the 30th Dáil. The lower house of the Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann, currently contains 166 Teachtaí Dála (TDs), representing 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout the Republic of Ireland. ... The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2005 (No. ...

• Meath (5) is replaced by Meath East (3) and Meath West (3)
• Westmeath (3), Longford-Roscommon (4) and Sligo-Leitrim (4) replaced by Longford-Westmeath (4), Roscommon-South Leitrim (3) and Sligo-North Leitrim (3)
• Cork North Central (from 5 to 4)
• Dublin North Central (from 4 to 3)
• Dublin Mid West (from 3 to 4)
• Kildare North (from 3 to 4)

The Meath parliamentary constituency spans the entire area of the county of Meath in Leinster, taking in Navan, Trim and Ashbourne. ... The Meath East parliamentary constituency was created by the 2004 Constituency Commission Report on Dáil Constituencies and will come into being in the 30th Irish general election. ... The Meath West parliamentary constituency was created by the 2004 Constituency Commission Report on Dáil Constituencies and will come into being in the 30th Irish general election. ... The Westmeath parliamentary constituency spans the entire area of the county in Leinster, taking in Mullingar, Athlone and Moate. ... The Longford Roscommon parliamentary constituency spans the entire area of both these Connacht and Leinster counties, taking in the towns of Longford and Roscommon and many other areas. ... The Sligo-Leitrim parliamentary constituency spans the entire area of both these Connacht counties, taking in Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon and many other areas. ... The Longford-Westmeath parliamentary constituency existed for many decades, but was dismantled in advance of the 1992 election. ... The Roscommon-South Leitrim parliamentary constituency was created by the 2004 Constituency Commission Report on Dáil Constituencies. ... The Sligo-North Leitrim parliamentary constituency was created by the 2004 Constituency Commission Report on Dáil Constituencies, and will will come into being in the 30th Irish general election. ... Cork North Central is a constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. ... Dublin North Central is a parliamentary constituency in the Republic of Ireland, located in the capital city, Dublin. ... Dublin Mid West is a parliamentary constituency in the Republic of Ireland, located in County Dublin. ... Kildare North is a constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. ...

Outcome predictions

In the 2004 Local and European Parliament elections, Fianna Fail suffered a significant fall in support from the levels of the 2002 general election.

In an Irish Times poll conducted on the 11 June 2005 support for Fianna Fáil fell by 6%, while support for Fine Gael rose 3%, with Labour also making a 2% gain, while Bertie Ahern's personal rating fell from 58% down to 54%. In a separate poll conducted in the Irish Times on the 13 June 2005, asked the question "Would you like to see the existing Fianna Fáil-PD coalition government, or a different coalition" 55% of people responded that they would like to see a different coalition, with 32% preferring the existing coalition, with 13% having no opinion. The Irish Times is Irelands newspaper of record, launched in the late 1850s. ... June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fine Gael (IPA , though often mispronounced (approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in Ireland. ... Patrick Bartholemew Ahern (Irish name: Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn) (born 12 September 1951), commonly called Bertie Ahern, is an Irish politician. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

As of 2005, it is expected that unlike the 2002 election the result is not expected to be a foregone conclusion

Polls in December 2005 showed continued increase in support for Fine Gael, now at 24-27%. There was no clear trend in Fianna Fáil support, and no change in support for other parties. Ahern remained the most popular leader but support for FG leader Enda Kenny had increased.[2] Fine Gael (IPA , though often mispronounced (approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in Ireland. ... Enda Kenny (born 24 April 1951) is an Irish politician, leader of the Fine Gael party and Leader of the Opposition in Dáil Éireann. ...

On 21 January 2006 the Irish Times published a survey which stated that 39% of people would prefer a FF/PD coalition. This is most likely due to the fact that the 2006 Budget was well received and the fact that the Groceries Order was abolished in late 2005. January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Red C/Sunday Business Post January 29 2006: Fianna Fáil, at 37%, are up three points since December - suggesting a post-Budget bounce. Fine Gael at 23% are down four, while Labour are unchanged at 13. Sinn Féin are down one point at 9% and the Green Party are up two points at 7%. The PDs at 3% are unchanged, as are others at 8% support. [3] January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

National Results

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. ... In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election. ... 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. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Ireland, but traditionally translated as Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... Patrick Bartholemew Ahern (Irish name: Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn) (born 12 September 1951), commonly called Bertie Ahern, is an Irish politician. ... Fine Gael (IPA , though often mispronounced (approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in Ireland. ... Enda Kenny (born 24 April 1951) is an Irish politician, leader of the Fine Gael party and Leader of the Opposition in Dáil Éireann. ... The Labour Party (Irish: Páirtí an Lucht Oibre) is a social democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Pat Rabbitte (born May 18, 1949) is a senior Irish politician , who has been the leader of the Labour Party since 2002. ... The Progressive Democrats (in Irish An Páirtí Daonlathach, literal back-translation: The Democratic Party) is a free market liberal party in the Republic of Ireland founded in 1985. ... Mary Harney (born 11 March 1953) is an Irish politician who has been the leader of the Progressive Democrats (the fourth largest political party in Ireland) since 1993. ... The Green Party/Comhaontas Glas was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. ... Trevor Sargent TD Trevor Sargent is a senior Irish politician. ... It has been suggested that Provisional Sinn Féin be merged into this article or section. ... Gerry Adams Gerry Adams MP, MLA, (born 6 October 1948) is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Member of Parliament for West Belfast. ... The Socialist Party (in Irish Páirtí Sóisialach) is a political party active in Ireland. ... Joe Higgins speaking at a rally against George W. Bushs visit to Ireland on 25th June 2004. ... The Ceann Comhairle1 is the chairman or speaker of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ...

Dail Membership Changes

The following TDs have indicated that they will not stand for election:

Carlow Kilkenny is a constituency used in elections to Dáil Éireann, the lower house of parliament in the Republic of Ireland. ... Liam Aylward is an Irish politician and Member of the European Parliament for Ireland East. ... A Member of the European Parliament (English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Unions directly-elected legislative body, the European Parliament. ... Séamus Pattison (born April 19, 1936) is an Irish Labour Party politician. ... ... Síle de Valera (pronounced ) (born 1954), is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... Cork East is a constituency used in elections to Dáil Éireann, the lower house of parliament in the Republic of Ireland. ... Joe Sherlock (born September 26, 1935) is an Irish Labour Party politician. ... Cork South West is a constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. ... Joe Walsh (born May 1943) is an Irish politician. ... Donegal North East is a parliamentary constituency in the Republic of Ireland, located in the northern part of County Donegal. ... Dr. Jim McDaid (b. ... Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency in the Republic of Ireland, located in the heart of the capital city, Dublin. ... Dermot Fitzpatrick is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... Dublin North is a parliamentary constituency in the Republic of Ireland, located in the northern area of County Dublin. ... Seán Ryan (b. ... G.V. Wright (born 1947) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... Dublin South East is a parliamentary constituency in the Republic of Ireland. ... Eoin Ryan (born February 24, 1953) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... A Member of the European Parliament (English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Unions directly-elected legislative body, the European Parliament. ... The Galway West parliamentary constituency spans the entire area of the western half of the Connacht county, in the heart of the Gaeltacht, taking in the towns of Galway City, Clifden and many other areas. ... Pádraic McCormack is an Irish Fine Gael politician and is currently a TD for Galway West constituency. ... The Kerry South parliamentary constituency is located in the southern half of County Kerry, Ireland, taking in Killarney, Caherciveen and Kenmare. ... Breeda Moynihan Cronin is an Irish Labour Party politician. ... The Limerick West parliamentary constituency is located in the western part of the Munster county. ... Michael J. Collins (born 1941) is an Independent Teachta Dála (TD) for Limerick West. ... The Tipperary South parliamentary constituency spans the southern half of the county in Munster, taking in Tipperary, Clonmel, Cashel and Cahir. ... Michael Christopher Noel (Noel) Davern (born December 1945) is an Irish politician. ... The Westmeath parliamentary constituency spans the entire area of the county in Leinster, taking in Mullingar, Athlone and Moate. ... Paul McGrath (born 1 February 1948) is an Irish politician and a Fine Gael member of the lower house of the Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann. ... The Wexford parliamentary constituency spans the entire area of the county in Leinster, taking in Wexford, New Ross and Gorey. ... Tony Dempsey is an Irish Fianna Fáil Progressive Democrat politician. ...

See also

• Government of the 30th Dáil
• Members of the 30th Dáil

The Government of the 30th Dáil will be appointed following the 30th Irish general election. ...

Irish General Elections Elections in the Republic of Ireland gives information on election and election results in the Republic of Ireland. ...

1922 | 1923 | 1927 (Jun) | 1927 (Sep) | 1932 | 1933 | 1937 | 1938 | 1943 | 1944 | 1948 | 1951 | 1954 | 1957 | 1961 | 1965 | 1969 | 1973 | 1977 | 1981 | 1982 (Feb) | 1982 (Nov) | 1987 | 1989 | 1992 | 1997 | 2002 | 2006/7 Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... A general election took place in southern Ireland in 16 June 1922 under the provisions of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty to elect a constituent assembly paving the way for the establishment of the Irish Free State. ... The Irish general election of 1923 was held on August 27, 1923. ... See also: Government of the 5th Dáil Categories: Elections in Ireland | 1927 ... The Irish general election of September 1927 was held on September 15, 1927. ... The Irish general election of 1932 was held on February 16, 1932, just over two weeks after the dissolution of the 6th Dáil on January 29. ... The Irish general election of 1933 was held on January 24, 1933. ... See also: Government of the 9th Dáil Categories: Elections in Ireland | 1937 ... See also: Government of the 10th Dáil Categories: Elections in Ireland | 1938 ... See also: Government of the 11th Dáil Categories: Elections in Ireland | 1943 ... The Irish general election of 1944 was held on May 30, 1944, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on May 9. ... The Irish general election of 1948 was held on February 4, 1948. ... The Irish general election of 1951 was held on May 30, 1951. ... See also: Government of the 15th Dáil Categories: Elections in Ireland | 1954 ... The Irish general election of 1957 was held on March 5, 1957, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on February 4. ... The Irish general election of 1961 was held on October 4, 1961, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on September 8. ... First time TDs David Andrews Michael OLeary See also Government of the 18th Dáil Categories: Elections in Ireland | 1965 ... The Irish general election of 1969 was held on June 18, 1969. ... The Irish general election of 1973 was held on February 28, 1973. ... The Irish general election of 1977 was held on June 16, 1977. ... The Irish general election of 1981 was held on June 11, 1981, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on May 21. ... The Irish general election of February 1982 was held on February 18, 1982, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on January 27. ... The Irish general election of November 1982 was held on November 24, 1982, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on November 4. ... The Irish general election of 1987 was held on February 17, 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on January 20. ... The Irish general election of 1989 was held on Friday, June 15, 1989, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on May 25. ... The Irish general election of 1992 was held on Wednesday, November 25, 1992, almost three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on November 5. ... The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, June 6, 1997. ... 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. ...