1994 European Parliament election in Ireland

1994 European Parliament election in Ireland

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15 seats to the European Parliament
Turnout1,157,296 (44.0% Decrease 24.3pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Albert Reynolds (cropped).jpg
John Bruton, December 1996 (cropped).jpg
Green
Leader Albert Reynolds John Bruton None
Party Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Green
Alliance EDA EPP Green Group
Leader since 6 February 1992 20 November 1990 6 November 2001
Last election 31.5%,  6 seats 21.6%,  4 seats 7.9%,  2 seats
Seats won
7 / 15
4 / 15
2 / 15
Seat change Increase 1 Decrease 2 Steady 0
Popular vote 398,066 276,095 90,046
Percentage 35% 24.3% 7.9%
Swing Increase 3.5% Increase 2.7% Increase 4.2%

  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Dick Spring 1995 (headshot).jpg
Mary Harney cropped.jpg
Proinsias De Rossa, July 1996 (cropped).png
Leader Dick Spring Mary Harney Proinsias De Rossa
Party Labour Progressive Democrats Democratic Left
Alliance PES ELDR
Leader since 1 November 1982 12 October 1993 1992
Last election 9.5%,  1 seats 12.0%,  1 seats New
Seats won
1 / 15
0 / 15
0 / 15
Seat change Steady 0 Decrease 1 New
Popular vote 124,972 73,696 39,706
Percentage 11.0 % 6.5 % 3.5%
Swing Increase 1.5% Decrease 5.5% New

  Seventh party Eighth party
 
Gerry Adams, 1997.jpg
Workers'
Leader Gerry Adams Marian Donnelly
Party Sinn Féin Workers' Party
Alliance NI
Leader since 13 November 1983 11 November 1988
Last election 2.2%,  0 seats 7.7%,  1 seats
Seats won
0 / 15
0 / 15
Seat change Steady Decrease 1
Popular vote 33,823 22,100
Percentage 3.0% 1.9%
Swing Increase 0.8% Decrease 5.8%

The 1994 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1994 European Parliament election. The election was conducted under the single transferable vote. Local elections were held on the same day for borough councils, urban district councils and town commissioners.

Campaign

In 1992, a general election in Ireland led to the Labour Party's best results to date, paving the way for Dick Spring to lead his party into coalition with Fianna Fáil. The 1994 local and European elections were seen in some quarters as a mid-term report on that coalition's performance. The strong result by the Green Party in particular was interpreted as a warning that left-leaning middle class voters were moving away from Labour.[1]

The election was notable for how some parties ran "parachute candidates" (like Orla Guerin for Labour) who did not resonate with voters as well as incumbent, grassroots campaigners.[2]

The popularity of President Mary Robinson led to parties presenting more female candidates than usual, four of whom became MEPs on this occasion.[3]

Results

Elections to the European Parliament in Ireland – 1994
Party European party Party Leader 1st Pref Vote % ±% Seats ±
Fianna Fáil EDA Albert Reynolds 398,066 35.0 +3.5 7 Increase1
Fine Gael EPP John Bruton 276,095 24.3 +2.7 4 Steady
Green Party Green Group none 90,046 7.9 +4.2 2 Increase2
Labour Party PES Dick Spring 124,972 11.0 +1.5 1 Steady
Progressive Democrats ELDR Mary Harney 73,696 6.5 −5.5 0 Decrease1
Democratic Left Proinsias De Rossa 39,706 3.5 +3.5 0 New
Sinn Féin Gerry Adams 33,823 3.0 +0.8 0 Steady
Workers' Party Marian Donnelly 22,100 1.9 −5.8 0 Decrease1
Independent 78,986 6.9 −1.7 1 Steady
Total 1,137,490 100 15 Steady

MEPs elected

Constituency Name Party EP group
Connacht–Ulster Pat "the Cope" Gallagher Fianna Fáil EDA
Mark Killilea Fianna Fáil EDA
Joe McCartin Fine Gael EPP
Dublin Patricia McKenna Green G
Mary Banotti Fine Gael EPP
Niall Andrews Fianna Fáil EDA
Bernie Malone Labour PES
Leinster Liam Hyland Fianna Fáil EDA
Alan Gillis Fine Gael EPP
Jim Fitzsimons Fianna Fáil EDA
Nuala Ahern Green G
Munster Brian Crowley Fianna Fáil EDA
Gerry Collins Fianna Fáil EDA
John Cushnahan Fine Gael EPP
Pat Cox Independent ELDR

Voting details

1979–2004 European Parliament Ireland constituencies
Constituency Electorate Turnout Spoilt Valid Poll Quota Seats Candidates
Connacht–Ulster 496,352 237,601 (47.8%) 4,971 (2.1%) 232,630 58,158 3 9
Dublin 755,486 280,761 (37.2%) 2,917 (1.1%) 277,844 55,569 4 15
Leinster 624,561 269,044 (43.1%) 6,599 (2.4%) 262,445 52,490 4 12
Munster 755,176 369,890 (48.9%) 5,319 (1.4%) 364,571 72,915 4 16
Total 2,631,575 1,157,296 (43.9%) 19,806 (1.7%) 1,137,490 15 52

See also

References

  1. ^ Morahan, Jim (13 June 1994). "Green Party's McKenna Is The Toast of Dublin". Cork Examiner. p. 11.
  2. ^ McNally, Frank. "Searching for the dream candidate". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  3. ^ Downing, John (21 July 1994). "Women Fine-Tune A Powerbase in European Politics". Evening Herald. p. 89.

External links

  • ElectionsIreland.org – 1994 European Parliament (Ireland) election results


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