The Irish general election of 1973 was held on February 28, 1973. The newly elected 148 members of the 20th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on March 14 when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed. February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... This is a list of the 144 members who were elected to the 20th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (legislature) of the Republic of Ireland. ... Leinster House The former palace of the Duke of Leinster. ... March 14 is the 73rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (74th in Leap years) with 292 days remaining in the year. ... 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 general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout the Republic of Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. 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. ...

Overview

By the time the general election was called in 1973, Fianna Fáil had been in power for almost sixteen consecutive years. During that period the party had seen three different leaders, Eamon de Valera, Seán F. 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 of 1972, however events conspired against him and the election was eventually called for February of 1973. 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. ... Eamon de Valera (born Edward George de Valera, sometimes Gaelicised Éamon de Bhailéara; October 14, 1882 – August 29, 1975), was an Irish politician, best known as a leader of Irelands struggle for independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the early 20th century, and... Seán Francis Lemass (July 15, 1899 - May 11, 1971) was Taoiseach of Ireland and served as the second leader of Fianna Fáil from 1959 until 1966. ... John (Jack) Mary Lynch (15 August 1917—20 October 1999), was the fourth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. ... In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ...

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. Fine Gael (IPA , though often mispronounced (approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in Ireland. ... Logo of the Irish Labour Party The Irish Labour Party (Irish: Páirti an Lucht Oibre) is the third largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 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. ... The 20th Dáil was elected on February 28, 1973 and first met on March 14 when the 14th Government of Ireland was appointed. ...

While Fianna Fáil acually 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. 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. ... The Arms Crisis was a political scandal in the Republic of Ireland, in which two government ministers from the Fianna Fáil political party were accused of attempting to illegally import £100,000 worth of weapons for the Provisional Irish Republican Army. ... The 20th Dáil was elected on February 28, 1973 and first met on March 14 when the 14th Government of Ireland was appointed. ... This STV ballot for the Australian Senate illustrates group voting tickets. ...

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. Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ; Irish for Radio [and] Television of Ireland) is the Public Service Broadcaster of the Republic of Ireland. ... John (Jack) Mary Lynch (15 August 1917—20 October 1999), was the fourth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. ... for the bioinformatics professor and museum curator, see Brian D. Farrell Brian Farrell (1929 - ) is an Irish author, journalist, academic & broadcaster. ... 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. ... 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. ...

Results

The results were as follows:

February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... 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. ... John (Jack) Mary Lynch (15 August 1917—20 October 1999), was the fourth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, serving two terms in office; 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. ... Fine Gael (IPA , though often mispronounced (approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in Ireland. ... Liam Cosgrave (Irish name Liam Mac Cosgair) (born April 13, 1920), served as the fifth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland between 1973 and 1977. ... The Labour Party (Irish: Páirtí an Lucht Oibre) is a social democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Brendan Corish ( 1918- 1990), Irish Labour leader ( 1960- 1977). ...

First Time TDs

The following 22 TDs were elected for the first time

• Liam Ahern
• Joseph Bermingham
• Ruairí Brugha
• Ray Burke
• John Callanan
• Seán Calleary
• Brendan Daly
• John Esmonde
• Joseph Farrell
• Denis Gallagher
• Brendan Griffin
• Patrick Hegarty
• John Kelly
• Jimmy Leonard
• Charles McDonald
• Ciaran Murphy
• Fergus O'Brien
• John Ryan
• Myles Staunton
• Seán Walsh
• James White
• John P. Wilson

Elected for the first time in subsequent by-elections Liam (William) Ahern (12th January 1916 – 13th July 1974) was an Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician who served in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. ... Joseph Bermingham (9th May 1919 – [11th August]] 1995) was an Irish Labour Party politician. ... Ruairi Brugha (1917 – January 30, 2006) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... Raphael P. Burke (born September 30, 1943) is a former Fianna Fáil politician. ... Johnny (John) Callanan (May 20, 1910–June 15, 1982) was an Irish politician from County Galway, Ireland. ... Brendan Daly (born February 2, Irish politician. ... John Esmonde and Bob Larbey (born 1934) were a successful British television comedy scriptwriting duo from the 1960s to the 1990s, creating popular sitcoms such as Please, Sir and The Good Life. ... Denis Gallagher (1922-2001) was a senior Irish politician. ... John Maurice Kelly (August 31, 1931—January 24, 1991) was a senior Irish politician and academic. ... Jimmy Leonard (born 5th June 1927) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... Fergus OBrien (born March, 1930) was an Irish Fine Gael politician. ... John P. Wilson (born 1923) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... This is an incomplete list of Irish by-elections, with the names of the incumbent and victor and their respective parties. ...

• Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
• Enda Kenny
• Brendan Toal
• Michael Kitt
• Brendan Halligan
• Patrick Keaveney

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (born September 5, 1950) is a former Irish politician. ... Enda Kenny (born 24 April 1951) is an Irish politician, leader of the Fine Gael party and Leader of the Opposition in Dáil Éireann. ... Michael Kitt, Snr was an Irish politician. ... Brendan Halligan (born July 5, 1936) is an Irish economist and a former Irish Labour Party politician. ...

Retiring TDs

• Frank Aiken
• Michael Hilliard
• Micheál Ó Móráin
• John O'Donovan (LAB) Lost seat

Frank Aiken (February 13, 1898 - May 18, 1983) was a senior Irish politician. ... Michael Hilliard was a senior Irish politician. ... Micheál Ó Móráin (25th December 1912 – 6th May 1983) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... John ODonovan was an Irish Fine Gael politician. ...

See also

• Members of the 20th Dáil
• Government of the 20th Dáil

This is a list of the 144 members who were elected to the 20th Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (legislature) of the Republic of Ireland. ... The 20th Dáil was elected on February 28, 1973 and first met on March 14 when the 14th Government of Ireland was appointed. ...

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

1921 | 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. ... Two elections in Ireland took place in 1921, as a result of the Government of Ireland Act 1920 to establish the House of Commons of Northern Ireland and the House of Commons of Southern 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 ... Jack Lynch becomes Taoiseach after winning his first election as leader of Fianna Fáil The Irish general election of 1969 was held on June 18, 1969, just over four years after its predecessor. ... 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. ... 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. ...