Ireland

House of Representatives Senate

House of Representatives

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes
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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

Election date(s)
29 Nov 2024
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
08 Nov 2024
Timing of election
Early elections
Expected date of next elections
30 Nov 2029
Number of seats at stake
174
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates
685
Number of female candidates
246
Percentage of women candidates
35.9%

Results

About the election

Two major parties in the outgoing coalition government (Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael) won a total of 86 seats in the new 174-member House of Representatives (up from 160, see note 1). Their junior coalition partner, the Green Party, reduced its share of seats from 12 to one. The main opposition party, Sinn Féin, led by Ms. Mary Lou McDonald, remained the second largest force in the new legislature. On 18 December, the House of Representatives held its first session and elected Ms. Verona Murphy (independent) as its new Speaker. She is the first woman to assume the post.

On 22 January 2025, the House of Representatives approved a coalition government comprising Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. It will be led by former Prime Minister Michéal Martin (Fianna Fáil) until November 2027, when the outgoing Prime Minister Simon Harris (Fine Gael, see note 2) will take over the premiership. On 23 January, President Michael D. Higgins officially appointed the members of the Government.

The 2024 elections were held three months earlier than they were constitutionally due. On 8 November 2024, the then Prime Minister, Simon Harris (Fine Gael), called snap elections, which were subsequently scheduled for 29 November. Key electoral issues in 2024 included the rising cost of living and a severe housing shortage, as well as immigration.

Note 1:
Article 16.4 of the Constitution stipulates that “The Oireachtas [Parliament] shall revise the constituencies at least once in every twelve years, with due regard to changes in distribution of the population”. In February 2023, the Electoral Commission published the Constituency Review Report 2023 and recommended an increase in the statutory number of the House of Representatives from 160 to 174. Both chambers of parliament adopted the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023, which included the recommendation. President Michael D. Higgins signed the Act into law in December 2023.

Note 2:
Following the previous election held in February 2020, Mr. Martin (Fianna Fáil) became the Prime Minister in June 2020. Mr. Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael) succeeded him in December 2022 in accordance with the 2020 coalition agreement. When Mr. Varadkar resigned as Fine Gael leader, Mr. Harris (Fine Gael), then 37 years old, succeeded him in April 2024, thereby becoming Ireland’s youngest Prime Minister.

Number of parties winning seats
10
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
27.6%
Alternation of power after elections
No
Number of parties in government
2
Names of parties in government
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
Fianna Fáil 48
Sinn Féin 39
Fine Gael 38
Social Democratic Party 11
Labour Party 11
Independent Ireland 4
Solidarity - People Before Profit (SOL-PBP) 3
Aontú 2
Green Party 1
100% Redress 1
Independents 16

Notes: The distribution of seats indicated above includes outgoing Chairman of the House of Representatives, Mr. Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Fianna Fáil), who was re-elected unopposed.

Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
130
Number of women elected
44
Percentage of women elected
25.3%
Women Directly Elected
44
Sources

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
130
Total number of women after the election
44
Percentage of women after the election
25.3%
First-term parliamentarians
66
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
37.9%
Date of the first session
18 Dec 2024

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Verona Murphy (Female)
Date of birth: 28 Oct 1971
Political party
Independents
Date of election
18 Dec 2024

Historical data for IPU membership

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Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No