Ireland
House of Representatives
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.
Background
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Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
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08 Feb 2020
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Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
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14 Jan 2020
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Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
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Early elections
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Expected date of next elections
The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
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29 Nov 2024
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Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
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160
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Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
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Full renewal
Candidates
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Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
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16
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Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
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531
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Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
View field in the data dictionary -
369
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Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
View field in the data dictionary -
162
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Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
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30.5%
Voter turnout
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Registered voters
Number of people registered to vote
View field in the data dictionary -
3,509,969
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Voters
Number of people who actually voted
View field in the data dictionary -
2,201,192
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Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
View field in the data dictionary -
62.7%
Results
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About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
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The 2020 elections returned a fragmented House of Representatives where the three largest parties won a similar number of seats (between 35 and 38) in the 160 member House of Representatives (see note). Fianna Fáil led by Mr. Micheál Martin came first with 38 seats (down from 44). Sinn Féin led by Ms. Mary Lou McDonald followed with 37 seats (up from 23), winning two more seats than Prime Minister Leo Varadkar’s Fine Gael (35 seats, down from 50). The Green Party, led by Mr. Eamon Ryan, increased its share of seats from 2 to 12, thereby becoming the fourth largest party in the new legislature.
The four largest parties nominated their respective leaders as their premiership candidates but none of them secured the required 80 votes on 20 February when the new legislature held its first session. Prime Minister Varadkar submitted his resignation to President Michael D Higgins. After nearly four months of negotiations, on 15 June, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party agreed to form a coalition government to be led by Mr. Martin (Fianna Fáil). It is the first government comprising both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Upon election by the House of Representatives on 27 June, the new Prime Minister promised to work on the social, economic, and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 elections were held one year earlier than they were constitutionally due. On 14 January, Prime Minister Varadkar announced the snap elections, stating “the election should happen at the best time for the country”, citing the government’s record on a deal on Brexit and strong economy. President Higgins dissolved the House of Representatives later on the same day, triggering early elections. The major electoral issues included tax cuts, housing and climate change. For the first time, the percentage of women surpassed 30 per cent.
Note:
The statutory number increased from 158 to 160 due to the increase in population.
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Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
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9
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Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
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56.3%
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Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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23.8%
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Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
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Yes
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Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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3
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Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Green Party
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 38 |
| Sinn Féin | 37 |
| Fine Gael | 35 |
| Green Party | 12 |
| Labour Party | 6 |
| Social Democratic Party | 6 |
| Solidarity - People Before Profit (SOL-PBP) | 5 |
| Aontú | 1 |
| Independents 4 Change (I.4.C) | 1 |
| Independents | 19 |
Members elected, by sex
- Number of men elected
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124
- Number of women elected
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36
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Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected by the number of seats filled.
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22.5%
- Women Directly Elected
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36
- Sources
New legislature
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Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
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124
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Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
View field in the data dictionary -
36
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Percentage of women after the election
The percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of women in this parliament/chamber by the current number of members.
View field in the data dictionary -
22.5%
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First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
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48
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Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of first-term parliamentarians by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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30.0%
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Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
View field in the data dictionary -
20 Feb 2020
First Speaker of the new legislature
- Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
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Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Male)
Date of birth: 17 Apr 1960 -
Political party
The political party to which the Speaker belonged to at the moment of the election. In some parliaments, the Speaker suspends or relinquishes their party membership during their term in office and is considered as an independent member.
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Fianna Fáil
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Date of election
The date of the election of the Speaker may be different from the date of the first session of the new legislature.
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20 Feb 2020