The general election of 1989 was precipitated by the defeat of the minority Fianna Fáil government in a private members motion regarding the provision of funds for AIDS sufferers (haemophiliacs who had been infected with contaminated blood products by the health service). While a general election was not necessary – the motion was not a vote of confidence, and therefore defeat was merely an embarrassment for the government – Charles Haughey, the Fianna Fáil leader, sought a dissolution of the Dáil.
Opinion polls had shown that the party's strong performance in government had increased their popularity and an overall majority for Fianna Fáil could be a possibility. Also, rumours were current that the general election was called so that certain Fianna Fáil members could raise money privately for themselves. While these rumours were dismissed at the time, it was revealed more than ten years later that Ray Burke, Pádraig Flynn and Haughey himself had received substantial personal donations during the campaign.[3]
While it was thought that the general election would catch the opposition parties unprepared, they co-ordinated themselves and co-operated very quickly. Further cuts in spending, particularly in the health service, became the dominant issue. Alan Dukes was fighting his first (and as events would prove, his only) general election as leader of Fine Gael. His Tallaght Strategy had kept Fianna Fáil in power, governing as a minority, since 1987.
The general election was held on the same day as the election to the European Parliament, and turnout was 68.5%.
Independents include Independent Fianna Fáil (6,961 votes, 1 seat), Army Wives (6,966 votes) and Gay candidates (517 votes).
No by-elections had taken place during the previous Dáil. Two seats were vacant at the dissolution of the 25th Dáil: in Sligo–Leitrim, caused by the resignation of the Fianna Fáil member Ray MacSharry, and in Dublin South-Central, caused by the death of Frank Cluskey.[8]
While Fianna Fáil had hoped to achieve an overall majority, the party lost seats. The result was a disaster for Fianna Fáil, particularly when the election was so unnecessary. Fine Gael made a small gain, but nothing substantial. The Progressive Democrats did badly, losing over half their deputies. The Labour Party and the Workers' Party gained working-class votes from Fianna Fáil but failed to make the big breakthrough, while Sinn Féin polled worse than its 1987 result. The Green Party won its first seat when Roger Garland was elected for Dublin South.
Voting summary
First preference vote
Fianna Fáil
44.15%
Fine Gael
29.29%
Labour
9.48%
Progressive Democrats
5.49%
Workers'
4.97%
Green
1.50%
Sinn Féin
1.21%
Others
0.61%
Independent
3.31%
Seats summary
Dáil seats
Fianna Fáil
46.39%
Fine Gael
33.13%
Labour
9.03%
Workers'
4.22%
Progressive Democrats
3.61%
Green
0.60%
Democratic Socialist
0.60%
Independent
2.41%
Government formation
Forming a government proved to be extremely difficult. Many in Fianna Fáil had hoped that the minority government could continue where it left off, particularly if the Tallaght Strategy continued. However, Fine Gael refused to support the government and so a deadlock developed. The prospect of forming a government seemed remote, so much so that Charles Haughey was forced to formally resign as Taoiseach. For the first time in Irish history a Taoiseach and a government had not been appointed when the new Dáil met. However, twenty-seven days after the general election, Fianna Fáil entered into a coalition for the first time in its history – with the Progressive Democrats, forming the 21st Government of Ireland, led by Haughey as Taoiseach. In February 1992, Haughey resigned and was succeeded as Taoiseach by Albert Reynolds, forming the 22nd Government of Ireland, continuing in coalition with the Progressive Democrats.
Dáil membership changes
The following changes took place as a result of the election:
14 outgoing TDs retired
1 vacant seat at election time
150 outgoing TDs stood for re-election (also Seán Treacy, the outgoing Ceann Comhairle who was automatically returned)
124 of those were re-elected
26 failed to be re-elected
41 successor TDs were elected
32 were elected for the first time
9 had previously been TDs
There were 4 successor female TDs, replacing 5 outgoing, thus reducing the total by 1 to 13
There were changes in 30 of the 41 constituencies contested
Where more than one change took place in a constituency the concept of successor is an approximation for presentation only.
^Ray MacSharry became European Commissioner in 1988. The writ for the by-election was issued on 16 May 1989, but the ensuing by-election was cancelled due to the dissolution of the Dáil.
References
^Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1980, s. 1: Amendment of section 14 of Electoral Act 1963 (No. 40 of 1980, s. 1). Enacted on 23 December 1980. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
Hogan, Gerard (1989). "Legal and constitutional issues arising from the 1989 general election". The Irish Jurist. 24 (2): 157–181.
O'Leary, Brendan; Peterson, John (1990). "Further Europeanisation? The Irish General Election of June 1989". West European Politics. 13 (1): 124–136. doi:10.1080/01402389008424784.
Sinnott, Richard (1995). Irish voters decide: Voting behaviour in elections and referendums since 1918. Manchester University Press. ISBN9780719040375.
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