Irish general election, 2002

The elections to Dáil Éireann in 2002 took place on 17 May 2002. Determined were the members of the 29th Dáil.

2002 results

Fianna Fáil reached high profits and was on the verge of an absolute majority and the re-election of the Fianna Fáil - Progressive Democrats coalition - is the first re-election of a coalition in the history of Ireland. In contrast, Fine Gael suffers landslide losses and loses all but three seats in Dublin, including many prominent members. Sinn Féin can expand its seats, while the Labour Party, despite pre-election forecast large gains can just barely set. The Greens could increase their seat number and reached for the first time outside of Dublin a seat

Shortly after the election came the leader of Fine Gael, Michael Noonan, Enda Kenny back and took his place. Later in the same year resigned and the Labour leader Ruairí Quinn and was replaced by Pat Rabbitte.

The 166 parliamentarians gathered for the first time on June 6, 2002.

The 2002 Election offered very little prospect of an alternative government during the term of the Dáil. The opposition parties have no common line and the position of Fianna Fáil is so well established that even a withdrawal of the Progressive Democrats could be compensated from the government by independents.