31st Dáil: Difference between revisions

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The '''Dáil''', or '''''[[Dáil Éireann]]''''' (pronouned {{IPA|[d̪ˠaːlʲ ˈeːrʲən̪ˠ]}}), is the lower house of the [[Ireland (state)|Irish]] [[bicameral]] parliament.  The upper house, the Senate, or ''[[Seanad Éireann]]'' ({{IPA|ɕan̪ˠad̪ˠ e:rʲan̪ˠ}}) and the Dáil together form the parliament, known as the ''[[Oireachtas]]'' ({{IPA|ɛrʲaxt̪ˠasˠ}}).  The "31st Dáil" is so called because it will be the 31st to sit since the foundation of the state.
The '''Dáil''', or '''''[[Dáil Éireann]]''''' (pronouned {{IPA|[d̪ˠaːlʲ ˈeːrʲən̪ˠ]}}), is the lower house of the [[Ireland (state)|Irish]] [[bicameral]] parliament.  The upper house, the Senate, or ''[[Seanad Éireann]]'' ({{IPA|ɕan̪ˠad̪ˠ e:rʲan̪ˠ}}) and the Dáil together form the parliament, known as the ''[[Oireachtas]]'' ({{IPA|ɛrʲaxt̪ˠasˠ}}).  The "31st Dáil" is so called because it will be the 31st to sit since the foundation of the state.
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Under the [[Constitution of Ireland|constitution]], parliamentary elections must be held at least every seven years, though a lower limit may be set by statute law. The current statutory maximum term is every five years.
Under the [[Constitution of Ireland|constitution]], parliamentary elections must be held at least every seven years, though a lower limit may be set by statute law. The current statutory maximum term is every five years.


The government in the [[30th Dáil]] consisted of a coalition of two parties: [[Fianna Fáil]] under [[Taoiseach]] [[Brian Cowen]]; and the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]].  The main opposition parties in the 30th Dáil consisted of [[Fine Gael]] and [[Irish Labour Party|Labour]].  
The government in the [[30th Dáil]] consisted of a coalition of two parties: [[Fianna Fáil]] under [[Taoiseach]] [[Brian Cowen]]; and the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]].  The main opposition parties in the 30th Dáil consisted of [[Fine Gael]] and [[Irish Labour Party|Labour]].  The general election for the 165 seats available (the speaker, or ''Ceann Comhairle'', is returned automatically) took place on Friday, 25th February, 2011, with the count of ballots beginning the following day.  


==Pre-election alliances==
==Pre-election alliances==
 
There were no pre-election pacts declared between the main parties.  The [[Socialist Party of Ireland|Socialist Party]], members of the ''People Before Profit'' alliance and some independent candidates announced the formation of the ''United Left Alliance'' in the weeks before the election.


==Results==
==Results==
The general election saw a massive swing against the sitting government parties - Fianna Fáil fell to it's smallest representation ever.


 
===Individually significant results included:===
Individually significant results included:
The Green Party lost all of their seats.  Several sitting ministers also failed to win re-election, and Fianna Fáil managed to return only one TD in the whole of Dublin (outgoing Finance Minister Brian Lenihan).
 


===Constituencies===
===Constituencies===
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3
1 (-2)
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1
3 (+2)
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1 (+1)
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1
0 (-1)
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3
1 (-2)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
3 (+2)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1
1 (0)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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2
1 (-1)
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1 (+1)
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1 (+1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1  
0 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1 (+1)<ref>Pearse Doherty had first won his seat for SF in the by-election of November 2010.</ref>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2  
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2 (+2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0<ref name="Harney">Mary Harney was elected in 2007 on a Progressive Democrat ticket. They disbanded in 2009 and Harney sat in Cabinet as an independent.</ref>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1  
0 (-1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<ref name="Harney"/>
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</td>
</tr>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2  
0 (-2)
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<td width=34 valign=top  align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top  align=center>
1
2 (+1)
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</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
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<td width=34 valign=top  align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top  align=center>
1 (+1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1
0 (-1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1 (+1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1
0 (-1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1
2 (+1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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2
0 (-2)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1
2 (+1)
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
3 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1  
1
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
3
4 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
5
4 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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1
0<ref name="Grealish">Noel Grealish was elected in 2007 on a Progressive Democrat ticket. The party disbanded in 2009 and Grealish remained in the Dáil as an independent.</ref>
</td>
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<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1<ref name="Grealish"/>
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>


<tr>
<tr>
<td width=223 valign=top align=center>Kerry North  
<td width=223 valign=top align=center>Kerry North-Limerick West<ref>There was a substantial boundary change from the 2007 election.  The comparison is with the 2007 Kerry North constituency.</ref>
</td>
</td>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
</td>
1 (+1)</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
</td>
</td>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
3
2 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<tr>
<tr>
<td width=223 valign=top align=center>Limerick East  
<td width=223 valign=top align=center>Limerick City<ref>Substantial boundary changes from the 2007 general election.  The comparison figures refer to the 2007 Limerick East constituency.</ref>
</td>
</td>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
5
4 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
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<tr>
<tr>
<td width=223 valign=top align=center>Limerick West
<td width=223 valign=top align=center>Limerick<ref>Substantial boundary changes from the 2007 general election.  The comparison figures refer to the 2007 Limerick West constituency.</ref>
</td>
</td>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
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</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 896: Line 924:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 920: Line 948:
</td>
</td>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
<td width=67 valign=top align=center>
4
5 (+1)<ref>Includes the seat of Séamus Kirk (FF), the outgoing ''Ceann Comhairle'', who is returned automatically.</ref>
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 953: Line 982:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
3
4 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 966: Line 995:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
<ref>Beverley Flynn had rejoined Fianna Fáil.</ref>
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
Line 977: Line 1,006:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2  
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,003: Line 1,033:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,013: Line 1,043:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,028: Line 1,059:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,044: Line 1,075:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
Line 1,054: Line 1,086:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,064: Line 1,096:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,080: Line 1,113:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
0 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,086: Line 1,119:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,107: Line 1,141:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,123: Line 1,157:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2 (+2)<ref>Mattie McGrath had been elected on a Fianna Fáil ticket in 2007.  He resigned from the party in 2010 and was elected as an independent.</ref>
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
Line 1,133: Line 1,168:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1
2 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,150: Line 1,185:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
Line 1,160: Line 1,196:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
1 (-1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,177: Line 1,213:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
Line 1,187: Line 1,224:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0 (-2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
3 (+1)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
Line 1,204: Line 1,241:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
1 (+1)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
Line 1,215: Line 1,253:
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
78
20 (-58)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
51
75 (+24)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
20
37 (+17)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
2
0
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
4  
14 (+10)  
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
6
0 (-6)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
0
2 (+2)
</td>
</td>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
<td width=34 valign=top align=center>
5
15 (+10)
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
Line 1,254: Line 1,292:
{| border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
{| border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;"
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;"
| '''Party''' || '''June 2002'''<br> (elected to 29th Dáil) || '''April 2007'''<br> (changes since election) || '''May 2007'''<br> (elected to 30th Dáil) || '''Current'''<br> (changes since election)
| '''Party''' || '''May 2007'''<br> (elected to 30th Dáil) || '''At dissolution of 30th Dáil''' || '''Elected to 31st Dáil''' || '''Current'''
|-
|-
|[[Fianna Fáil]] ||align="right"| 82 ||align="right"| '''79''' ||align="right"| '''78''' ||align="right"| '''72'''<ref name="Flynn">Beverley Flynn was readmitted to Fianna Fáil on 3rd April, 2008.  Former minister [[Jim McDaid]] and two others resigned the party whip but remained as members of FF.</ref>  
|[[Fianna Fáil]] ||align="right"| '''78''' ||align="right"| '''72''' ||align="right"| '''20''' ||align="right"| '''19'''<ref name="DubWest">Following the death of incumbent TD and former Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan Jnr. (Fianna Fáil), a by-election in the Dublin West constituency saw the seat going to the Labour Party nominee.</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Fine Gael]] ||align="right"| 31 ||align="right"| '''32''' ||align="right"| '''51''' ||align="right"| 51
|[[Fine Gael]] ||align="right"| '''51''' ||align="right"| '''51''' ||align="right"| '''75''' ||align="right"| '''75'''
|-
|-
|[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] ||align="right"| 20 ||align="right"| '''21''' ||align="right"| '''20''' ||align="right"| 20
|[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] ||align="right"| '''20''' ||align="right"| '''20''' ||align="right"| '''37''' ||align="right"| '''38'''<ref name="DubWest"/>
|-
|-
|[[Progressive Democrats]]||align="right"| 8 ||align="right"| 8 ||align="right"| '''2''' ||align="right"| 0<ref>The PDs disbanded.  Mary Harney remained in the cabinet as Minister for Health, until her resignation in January 2011; Noel Grealish remains an independent TD and normally supports the government.</ref>
|[[Progressive Democrats]]||align="right"| '''2''' ||align="right"| '''0'''<ref>The PDs disbanded.  Mary Harney remained in the cabinet as Minister for Health, until her resignation in January 2011; Noel Grealish remained an independent TD and normally supported the government.</ref>||align="right"| '''n/a''' ||align="right"| '''n/a'''
|-
|-
|[[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] ||align="right"| 6 ||align="right"| 6 ||align="right"| '''6''' ||align="right"| 6
|[[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] ||align="right"| '''6''' ||align="right"| '''6'''||align="right"| '''0''' ||align="right"| '''0'''
|-  
|-  
|[[Sinn Féin]] ||align="right"| 5 ||align="right"| 5 ||align="right"| '''4''' ||align="right"| 4
|[[Sinn Féin]] ||align="right"| '''4''' ||align="right"| '''5''' ||align="right"| '''14''' ||align="right"| '''14'''
|-
|-
|[[Socialist Party (Ireland)|Socialist]] ||align="right"| 1 ||align="right"| 1 ||align="right"| '''0''' ||align="right"| 0
|[[Socialist Party (Ireland)|Socialist]] ||align="right"| '''0''' ||align="right"| '''0''' ||align="right"| '''2'''<ref name="SP-ULA">The Socialist Party returned two TDs, Joe Higgins and Clare Daly.  However, they ran under the banner of the ''United Left Alliance'', who in total succeeded in having five TDs elected.  The remaining three TDs are included in the total for independents.</ref> ||align="right"| '''2'''
|-
|-
|Independents ||align="right"| 13 ||align="right"| '''14''' ||align="right"| '''5''' ||align="right"| '''5'''<ref name="Flynn"/>
|Independents ||align="right"| '''5''' ||align="right"| '''5''' ||align="right"| '''15''' ||align="right"| '''15'''  
|}
|}


==Formation of government==
==Formation of government==
As no single party or pre-declared coalition achieved the 83 seats needed for a majority, negotiations to secure support for a viable government began almost immediately after the final results were known.  [[Enda Kenny]] TD, leader of the Fine Gael party, proposed a coalition consisting of FG, Labour, the Greens, the PDs and independents, but this scenario was widely seen as being unlikely, given the ideological differences between the various parties.   
Negotiations on the formation of the government began immediately after the election results became known.  Theoretically, it was possible for Fine Gael to form a minority government with the support of a number of independent TDs.  However, Fine Gael and the Labour Party entered talks on forming a coalition.  A programme for government was negotiated between representatives of both parties.  The programme was agreed to by both a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and a special delegate conference of the Labour Party, both held on Sunday, 6th March, 2011.   


Numerically, Bertie Ahern's Fianna Fáil party could have formed a coalition government with the support of just the two PD TDs and a number of independents.  However, in addition to securing the support of the PDs and independents, Fianna Fáil also opened ten days of negotiations with the Green Party.  Formal talks broke down on Friday 8th June, but resumed after informal discussions over the weekend.  Eventually a deal was hammered out, and, as mandated by their constitution, on Wednesday 13th June, the Green Party put a proposal to party members (in a day-long conference held in [[Dublin|Dublin's]] [[Mansion House]]) that they should enter  government.  The proposal was passed by over 86% of those voting.<ref>RTÉ News: Green members vote for FF deal Available: http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0613/election2.html Accessed: 14th June, 2007.</ref> The Green's leader, [[Trevor Sargent]], TD, had, prior to the election, announced that he personally did not favour entering power with Fianna Fáil.  Following the Green Party vote, he stood down as party leader,<ref>RTÉ News: Sargent leads the Greens into Government. Available: http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0614/sargentt.html?rss Accessed: 14th June, 2007.</ref> though he did second the nomination of Ahern for the position of Taoiseach when the Dáil met.
The 31st Dáil sat for the first time on 9th March, 2011.  Enda Kenny, leader of Fine Gael, was elected as Taoiseach, and formed a Fine Gael/Labour coalition government.
 
Media reports also suggested that deals had been arranged to secure the support of either three or four of the five independent TDs, involving benefits for their constituencies.  [[Tony Gregory]] TD was not approached as he shares the Taoiseach's constituency.  While some media reports quoted [[Beverly Flynn]] TD as saying that no deal had been arranged with her, but that she would support Ahern for Taoiseach anyway,<ref>BreakingNews.ie: Flynn to support Ahern despite lack of official deal. Available: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhkfeysnidmh/ Accessed: 14th June, 2007.</ref>, contradictory reports spoke of a deal being brokered which would see her return to Fianna Fáil and receive a junior ministry.<ref>Irish Independent: Flynn on board with promise of junior ministry. Available: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/flynn-on-board-with-promise-of-junior-ministry-701979.html Accessed: 15th June, 2007.</ref>  Flynn was twice formerly a member of Fianna Fáil but was expelled,<ref>RTÉ News: Beverly Flynn expelled from Fianna Fáil. Available: http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0507/flynn.html Accessed: 14th June, 2007.</ref> and at the time of the speculation, faced a bankruptcy hearing, which would have resulted in her losing her seat automatically if she was declared bankrupt.<ref>BreakingNews.ie: Flynn to support Ahern despite lack of official deal. Available: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhkfeysnidmh/ Accessed: 14th June, 2007.</ref>  (Flynn later rejoined the party).
 
The 30th Dáil met for the first time on the afternoon of Thursday 14th June, 2007, and, following tradition, the incoming TDs were called upon by the Clerk of the Dáil to elect a Ceann Comhairle.  [[John O Donoghue]] TD (Fianna Fáil) was elected to the position, the other candidate being Labour's [[Ruairi Quinn]] TD.<ref>RTÉ News: First meeting of 30th Dáil under way. Available: http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0614/election.html Accessed: 14th June, 2007.</ref> O Donoghue had previously been [[Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism]] in the government of the 29th Dáil.
 
In the following vote for the appointment of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern defeated Enda Kenny by 89 votes to 76.  He therefore became only the second Taoiseach in the history of the state to be returned to office for a third term (the other being [[Éamon de Valera]]).<ref>RTÉ News: Available: http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0614/election.html Accessed: 14th June, 2007.</ref>
 
Due to ongoing controversies over his financial background, Ahern subsequently resigned as Taoiseach and as leader of Fianna Fáil.  He was succeeded as Taoiseach and party leader by [[Brian Cowen]], TD, on May 7th, 2008.  Cowen subsequently resigned as party leader (but not as Taoiseach) in January 2011, following various controversies.
 
Ceann Comhairle O Donoghue was forced to resign in 2009 (being replaced by [[Séamus Kirk]]), following revelations in the media on the extent of expense claims.  He remains a TD.
 
With the breakup of the Progressive Democrats political party, Mary Harney remained in government as an independent Minister for Health and Children.  In late 2009, three Fianna Fáil TDs resigned the party whip (meaning they were not bound to support the party in votes), but didn't resign from the party itself.


==Cabinet==
==Cabinet==
After travelling to [[Áras an Uactaráin]] to receive his Seal of Office from the President, Ahern returned to the Dáil to announce his cabinet.  The appointments (listed with previous incumbents and subsequent appointments following Ahern's resignation in May 2008) are as follows:
After travelling to [[Áras an Uactaráin]] to receive his Seal of Office from the President, Kenny returned to the Dáil to announce his cabinet.  The appointments are as follows:
{| border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;"
|-
| '''Cabinet position''' || '''29th Dáil'''<br> (at dissolution) || '''30th Dáil'''<br> (new appointment)(member of Fianna Fáil<br> unless indicated otherwise) || '''30th Dáil'''<br> (current)
!Office
!Name
!Term
!colspan="2"|Party
|-
|[[Taoiseach]]
|'''[[Enda Kenny]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|[[Tánaiste]] and [[Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade]]
|'''[[Eamon Gilmore]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]]
|-
|-
|Taoiseach ||Bertie Ahern ||Bertie Ahern || Brian Cowen
|[[Chief Whip]]
|'''[[Paul Kehoe]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Tánaiste ||Michael McDowell ||Brian Cowen || Mary Coughlan
|[[Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food]]
|'''[[Simon Coveney]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Finance ||Brian Cowen ||Brian Cowen || Brian Lenihan
|[[Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs]]
|'''[[Jimmy Deenihan]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform||Michael McDowell ||Brian Lenihan || Dermot Ahern
|[[Minister for Children]]
|'''[[Frances Fitzgerald]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Foreign Affairs ||Dermot Ahern ||Dermot Ahern || Micheál Martin
|[[Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]]
|-
|'''[[Pat Rabbitte]]'''
|Minister for Health and Children ||Mary Harney ||Mary Harney (PD) || Mary Harney (Independent)
|2011–present
|[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Defence ||Willie O Dea ||Willie O Dea || Willie O Dea
|[[Minister for Education and Skills]]
|'''[[Ruairi Quinn]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism ||John O Donoghue ||Séamus Brennan || Martin Cullen
|[[Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation]]
|'''[[Richard Bruton]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Education and Science ||Mary Hanafin || Mary Hanafin || Batt O'Keeffe
|[[Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government]]
|'''[[Phil Hogan]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Food ||Mary Coughlan ||Mary Coughlan || Brendan Smith
|[[Junior Minister in the Department of the Environment]]<ref>This appointment includes the right to sit at Cabinet, but without a vote.</ref>
|-
|'''[[Willie Penrose]]'''
|Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government ||Dick Roche ||John Gormley (Grn.) || John Gormley (Grn.)
|2011–present
| [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs ||Éamon Ó Cuív ||Éamon Ó Cuív || Éamon Ó Cuív
|[[Minister for Finance]]
|'''[[Michael Noonan]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Social and Family Affairs ||Séamus Brennan ||Martin Cullen || Mary Hanafin
|[[Minister for Health]]
|'''[[James Reilly]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment ||Micheál Martin ||Micheál Martin || Mary Coughlan
|[[Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence]]
|'''[[Alan Shatter]]
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources ||Noel Dempsey ||Eamon Ryan (Grn.) || Eamon Ryan (Grn.)
|[[Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform]]
|'''[[Brendan Howlin]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]]
|-
|-
|Minister for Transport and the Marine ||Martin Cullen ||Noel Dempsey || Noel Dempsey
|[[Minister for Social Protection]]
|'''[[Joan Burton]]'''
|2011–present
| [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]]
|-
|-
|Attorney General ||Rory Brady SC ||Paul Gallagher SC (unaffiliated) || Paul Gallagher SC (unaffiliated)
|[[Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport]]
|'''[[Leo Varadkar]]'''
|2011–present
|[[Fine Gael]]
|-
|-
|}
|}
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==References==
==References==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

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The Dáil, or Dáil Éireann (pronouned [d̪ˠaːlʲ ˈeːrʲən̪ˠ]), is the lower house of the Irish bicameral parliament. The upper house, the Senate, or Seanad Éireann (ɕan̪ˠad̪ˠ e:rʲan̪ˠ) and the Dáil together form the parliament, known as the Oireachtas (ɛrʲaxt̪ˠasˠ). The "31st Dáil" is so called because it will be the 31st to sit since the foundation of the state.

Dáil Éireann (usually just called "the Dáil") has 166 members or Teachtaí Dálaí ("Teachta Dála", pronounced ˈtʲaxtə ˈdɑːlə, is the singular form, abbreviated to "TD"), each elected to represent one of 43 multi-seat constituencies under the system of proportional representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote.

Under the constitution, parliamentary elections must be held at least every seven years, though a lower limit may be set by statute law. The current statutory maximum term is every five years.

The government in the 30th Dáil consisted of a coalition of two parties: Fianna Fáil under Taoiseach Brian Cowen; and the Green Party. The main opposition parties in the 30th Dáil consisted of Fine Gael and Labour. The general election for the 165 seats available (the speaker, or Ceann Comhairle, is returned automatically) took place on Friday, 25th February, 2011, with the count of ballots beginning the following day.

Pre-election alliances

There were no pre-election pacts declared between the main parties. The Socialist Party, members of the People Before Profit alliance and some independent candidates announced the formation of the United Left Alliance in the weeks before the election.

Results

The general election saw a massive swing against the sitting government parties - Fianna Fáil fell to it's smallest representation ever.

Individually significant results included:

The Green Party lost all of their seats. Several sitting ministers also failed to win re-election, and Fianna Fáil managed to return only one TD in the whole of Dublin (outgoing Finance Minister Brian Lenihan).

Constituencies

Constituency

Number of seats (2011)

Result 2011 (change from 2007 in brackets)

FF

FG

Lab.

PD

SF

Grn

Soc.

Other

Carlow-Kilkenny

5

1 (-2)

3 (+2)

1 (+1)

0 (-1)

Cavan-Monaghan

5[1]

1 (-2)

3 (+2)

1 (0)

Clare

4

1 (-1)

2

1 (+1)

Cork East

4

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1

1 (+1)

Cork North Central

4

1 (-1)

1

1

1 (+1)

Cork North West

3

1 (-1)

2 (+1)

Cork South Central

5

2

2

1

Cork South West

3

0 (-1)

2

1 (+1)

Donegal North East

3

1 (-1)

1

1 (+1)

Donegal South West

3

0 (-2)

1

1 (+1)[2]

1 (+1)

Dublin Central

4

0 (-2)

1 (+1)

1

1 (+1)

1

Dublin Mid West

4

0 (-1)

2 (+2)

2 (+1)

0[3]

0 (-1)

[3]

Dublin North

4

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1 (+1)

0 (-1)

1 (+1)

Dublin North Central

3

0 (-1)

1

1 (+1)

1

Dublin North East

3

0 (-1)

1

2 (+1)

Dublin North West

3

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1 (+1)

Dublin South

5

0 (-2)

3 (+1)

1 (+1)

0 (-1)

Dublin South Central

5

0 (-2)

1

2 (+1)

1

1 (+1)

Dublin South East

4

0 (-1)

2 (+1)

2 (+1)

0 (-1)

Dublin South West

4

0 (-2)

1

2 (+1)

1 (+1)

Dublin West

4 (+1)

1

1

1

1 (+1)

Dún Laoghaire

4 (-1)

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1

0 (-1)

1 (+1)

Galway East

4

1 (-1)

2

1 (+1)

Galway West

5

1 (-1)

2 (+1)

1

0[4]

1[4]

Kerry North-Limerick West[5]

3

0 (-1)

1

1 (+1)

1

Kerry South

3

0 (-2)

1 (+1)

2 (+1)

Kildare North

4

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1

1 (+1)

Kildare South

3

1 (-1)

1 (+1)

1

Laois-Offaly

5

2 (-1)

2

1 (+1)

Limerick City[6]

4 (-1)

1 (-1)

2

1

Limerick[7]

3

1 (-1)

2 (+1)

Longford-Westmeath

4

1 (-1)

2 (+1)

1

Louth

5 (+1)[8]

1 (-1)

2 (+1)

1 (+1)

1

Mayo

5

1

4 (+1)

[9]

Meath East

3

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1 (+1)

Meath West

3

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1 (+1)

Roscommon-South Leitrim

3

0 (-1)

2

1 (+1)

Sligo-North Leitrim

3

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1 (+1)

Tipperary North

3

0 (-1)

1

1 (+1)

1

Tipperary South

3

0 (-2)

1

2 (+2)[10]

Waterford

4

0 (-2)

2 (+1)

1

1 (+1)

Wexford

5

1 (-1)

2

1

1 (+1)

Wicklow

5

0 (-2)

3 (+1)

1

1 (+1)

Totals

166

20 (-58)

75 (+24)

37 (+17)

0

14 (+10)

0 (-6)

2 (+2)

15 (+10)


Key:
FF: Fianna Fáil
FG: Fine Gael
Lab.: Labour
PD: Progressive Democrats
SF: Sinn Féin
Grn.: Green Party
Soc.: Socialist Party
Other: Independents and/or members of small parties not listed above.

Composition of the Dáil

Party May 2007
(elected to 30th Dáil)
At dissolution of 30th Dáil Elected to 31st Dáil Current
Fianna Fáil 78 72 20 19[11]
Fine Gael 51 51 75 75
Labour Party 20 20 37 38[11]
Progressive Democrats 2 0[12] n/a n/a
Green Party 6 6 0 0
Sinn Féin 4 5 14 14
Socialist 0 0 2[13] 2
Independents 5 5 15 15

Formation of government

Negotiations on the formation of the government began immediately after the election results became known. Theoretically, it was possible for Fine Gael to form a minority government with the support of a number of independent TDs. However, Fine Gael and the Labour Party entered talks on forming a coalition. A programme for government was negotiated between representatives of both parties. The programme was agreed to by both a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and a special delegate conference of the Labour Party, both held on Sunday, 6th March, 2011.

The 31st Dáil sat for the first time on 9th March, 2011. Enda Kenny, leader of Fine Gael, was elected as Taoiseach, and formed a Fine Gael/Labour coalition government.

Cabinet

After travelling to Áras an Uactaráin to receive his Seal of Office from the President, Kenny returned to the Dáil to announce his cabinet. The appointments are as follows:

Office Name Term Party
Taoiseach Enda Kenny 2011–present Fine Gael
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore 2011–present Labour
Chief Whip Paul Kehoe 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food Simon Coveney 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs Jimmy Deenihan 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte 2011–present Labour
Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn 2011–present Labour
Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan 2011–present Fine Gael
Junior Minister in the Department of the Environment[14] Willie Penrose 2011–present Labour
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for Health James Reilly 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter 2011–present Fine Gael
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin 2011–present Labour
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton 2011–present Labour
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar 2011–present Fine Gael

See also

References

  1. Includes the seat of the then Ceann Comhairle, Rory O Hanlon, who by virtue of his office was returned automatically to the Dáil without having to seek re-election.
  2. Pearse Doherty had first won his seat for SF in the by-election of November 2010.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Mary Harney was elected in 2007 on a Progressive Democrat ticket. They disbanded in 2009 and Harney sat in Cabinet as an independent.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Noel Grealish was elected in 2007 on a Progressive Democrat ticket. The party disbanded in 2009 and Grealish remained in the Dáil as an independent.
  5. There was a substantial boundary change from the 2007 election. The comparison is with the 2007 Kerry North constituency.
  6. Substantial boundary changes from the 2007 general election. The comparison figures refer to the 2007 Limerick East constituency.
  7. Substantial boundary changes from the 2007 general election. The comparison figures refer to the 2007 Limerick West constituency.
  8. Includes the seat of Séamus Kirk (FF), the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, who is returned automatically.
  9. Beverley Flynn had rejoined Fianna Fáil.
  10. Mattie McGrath had been elected on a Fianna Fáil ticket in 2007. He resigned from the party in 2010 and was elected as an independent.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Following the death of incumbent TD and former Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan Jnr. (Fianna Fáil), a by-election in the Dublin West constituency saw the seat going to the Labour Party nominee.
  12. The PDs disbanded. Mary Harney remained in the cabinet as Minister for Health, until her resignation in January 2011; Noel Grealish remained an independent TD and normally supported the government.
  13. The Socialist Party returned two TDs, Joe Higgins and Clare Daly. However, they ran under the banner of the United Left Alliance, who in total succeeded in having five TDs elected. The remaining three TDs are included in the total for independents.
  14. This appointment includes the right to sit at Cabinet, but without a vote.