1979 European Parliament election in Ireland

The 1979 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1979 European Parliament election. These were the first direct elections to the European Parliament, and the first election to be held simultaneously across the entire Island of Ireland since the 1921 Irish elections. The election was conducted under the single transferable vote.

1979 European Parliament election in Ireland
7 June 1979
15 Irish seats to the European Parliament
Turnout1,392,285 (63.6%)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Jack Lynch 1979 (cropped).jpg
Garret FitzGerald 1975 (cropped).jpg
Labour
Leader Jack Lynch Garret FitzGerald Frank Cluskey
Party Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Labour
Alliance EPD EPP SOC
Leader since 9 November 1966 1977 1977
Seats won
5 / 15
4 / 15
4 / 15
Popular vote 464,451 443,652 193,898
Percentage 34.7% 33.1% 14.5%
  Fourth party Fifth party
 
IFF
Tomás Mac Giolla (cropped).jpg
Leader Neil Blaney Tomás Mac Giolla
Party Independent Fianna Fáil Sinn Féin - The Workers' Party
Alliance CDI NI
Leader since 1972 14 October 1962
Seats won
1 / 15
0 / 15
Popular vote 81,522 43,942
Percentage 6.1% 3.3%
Members of the
European Parliament
for Ireland
1st delegation (1973)
2nd delegation (1973–1977)
3rd delegation (1977–1979)
1st term (1979)
2nd term (1984)
3rd term (1989)
4th term (1994)
5th term (1999)
6th term (2004)
7th term (2009)
8th term (2014)
9th term (2019)
10th term (2024)
List of women MEPs

Although the election was held simultaneously across the entire island of Ireland, Provisional Sinn Féin did not to contest the election. However, the relative success of Bernadette McAliskey in Northern Ireland helped prompt Sinn Féin to stand in subsequent European elections.[1]

Results
Elections to the European Parliament in Ireland – 1979
Party European Party Party Leader 1st Pref Vote % Seats
Fianna Fáil EPD Jack Lynch 464,451 34.7 5
Fine Gael EPP Garret FitzGerald 443,652 33.1 4
Labour Party SOC Frank Cluskey 193,898 14.5 4
Independent Fianna Fáil CDI Neil Blaney 81,522 6.1 1
Sinn Féin (Workers Party) Tomás Mac Giolla 43,942 3.3 0
Independent 111,607 8.3 1
Total 1,339,072 100 15

MEPs elected
Main article: List of members of the European Parliament for Ireland, 1979–1984
Constituency Name Party EP group
Connacht–Ulster Neil Blaney Independent Fianna Fáil CDI
Joe McCartin Fine Gael EPP
Seán Flanagan Fianna Fáil EPD
Dublin Richie Ryan Fine Gael EPP
John O'Connell Labour SOC
Síle de Valera Fianna Fáil EPD
Michael O'Leary Labour SOC
Leinster Mark Clinton Fine Gael EPP
Patrick Lalor Fianna Fáil EPD
Liam Kavanagh Labour SOC
Munster T.J. Maher Independent ELDR
Eileen Desmond Labour SOC
Tom O'Donnell Fine Gael EPP
Jerry Cronin Fianna Fáil EPD
Noel Davern Fianna Fáil EPD

Voting details
1979–2004 European Parliament Ireland constituencies
Constituency Electorate Turnout Spoilt Valid Poll Quota Seats Candidates
Connacht–Ulster 442,471 320,713 (72.5%) 14,547 (4.5%) 306,166 76,542 3 11
Dublin 618,454 304,068 (49.2%) 8,653 (2.8%) 295,415 59,084 4 13
Leinster 486,248 322,312 (66.30%) 15,416 (4.80%) 306,896 61,380 3 9
Munster 641,625 445,192 (69.40%) 14,597 (3.3%) 430,595 71,766 5 13
Total 2,188,798 1,392,285 (63.6%) 53,213 (3.8%) 1,339,072 — 15 46

See also

References
  1. Frampton, Martyn (2000). "Sinn Féin and the European Arena: 'Ourselves Alone' or 'Critical Engagement'?". Irish Studies in International Affairs. 16: 235–253. JSTOR 30001944.


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