The 1987 general election was precipitated by the withdrawal of the Labour Party from the Fine Gael–led government on 20 January 1987. The reason was a disagreement over budget proposals. Rather than attempt to press on with the government's agenda, the Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael, Garret FitzGerald, sought a dissolution of the Dáil. An unusually long period of four weeks was set for the campaign.
Fianna Fáil's campaign involved a refusal to make any definite commitments; however, it attempted to convince the electorate that the country would be better under Fianna Fáil. Charles Haughey's attitudes toward Northern Ireland and the Anglo-Irish Agreement were both attacked.[3] However, the campaign was mostly fought on economic issues.
The Labour Party decided against any pre-election pact, particularly with Fine Gael. The Progressive Democrats (PD), founded only two years earlier, surpassed Labour as the third-biggest political party in the Dáil. Although the majority of the PD party consisted of Fianna Fáil defectors, it mainly took seats from Fine Gael.
Independents include Independent Fianna Fáil (7,720 votes, 1 seat) and the Tax Reform League (3,832 votes).
Changes in numbers of seats for each party are shown relative to the previous election in November 1982.
Although opinion polls had suggested otherwise, Fianna Fáil once again failed to win an overall majority. The Progressive Democrats did exceptionally well in their first general election, becoming the third-biggest party in the Dáil. Fine Gael lost many seats, mostly to the PDs. The Labour Party fell to its lowest share of the vote since 1933, but managed to salvage 12 seats, more than expected, including that of its leader Dick Spring, who saved his seat by just four votes.
Voting summary
First preference vote
Fianna Fáil
44.15%
Fine Gael
27.07%
Progressive Democrats
11.85%
Labour
6.45%
Workers'
3.79%
Sinn Féin
1.85%
Others
0.86%
Independent
3.99%
Seats summary
Dáil seats
Fianna Fáil
48.80%
Fine Gael
30.72%
Progressive Democrats
8.43%
Labour
7.23%
Workers'
2.41%
Democratic Socialist
0.60%
Independent
1.81%
Government formation
Fianna Fáil formed the 20th government of Ireland, a minority government, with Charles Haughey returning as Taoiseach. Haughey was nominated as Taoiseach with the votes of his own party, the support of Independent Fianna Fáil TD Neil Blaney and the abstention of Independent TD Tony Gregory. That left him with just half of votes cast. Ceann ComhairleSeán Treacy exercised his casting vote in favour of the nomination of Haughey. The Fianna Fáil government of 1987 to 1989 was the last time to date that a government composed only of members of one party has been formed in Ireland.
Dáil membership changes
The following changes took place at the election:
17 outgoing TDs retired
1 vacant seat at election time
147 outgoing TDs stood for re-election (also Tom Fitzpatrick, the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, who was automatically returned)
127 of those were re-elected
20 failed to be re-elected
38 successor TDs were elected
32 were elected for the first time
6 had previously been TDs
There were 6 successor female TDs, with the total remaining unchanged at 14
There were changes in 32 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.
^During the previous Dáil, 4 Fianna Fáil TDs and 1 Fine Gael TD had joined the Progressive Democrats.
^Cathal Coughlan died in 1986 but no by-election was held.
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.
Kenny, Shane; Keane, Fergal (1987). Irish Politics Now: 'This Week' Guide to the 25th Dáil. Dingle, Co. Kerry: Brandon/RTÉ.
O'Leary, Brendan (1987). "Towards Europeanisation and Realignment?: The Irish General Election, February 1987". West European Politics. 10 (3): 455–465. doi:10.1080/01402388708424644.
Sinnott, Richard (1995). Irish voters decide: Voting behaviour in elections and referendums since 1918. Manchester University Press. ISBN9780719040375.
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