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31st Dáil

TDs from 2011 to 2016

31st Dáil

TDs from 2011 to 2016

FieldValue
name31st Dáil
imageOireachtas logo.svg
image_size100px
bodyDáil Éireann
countryIreland
meeting_placeLeinster House
election[2011 general election](2011-irish-general-election)
government[29th government of Ireland](29th-government-of-ireland)
term_start9 March 2011
term_end3 February 2016
before[30th Dáil](30th-dail)
after[32nd Dáil](32nd-dail)
membership1166
chamber1_leader1_typeCeann Comhairle
chamber1_leader1Seán Barrett
chamber1_leader2_typeLeas-Cheann Comhairle
chamber1_leader2Michael P. Kitt
chamber1_leader3_typeTaoiseach
chamber1_leader3Enda Kenny
chamber1_leader4_typeTánaiste
chamber1_leader4Joan Burton
— Eamon Gilmore
until 4 July 2014
chamber1_leader5_typeChief Whip
chamber1_leader5Paul Kehoe
chamber1_leader6_typeLeader of the Opposition
chamber1_leader6Micheál Martin
session1_start9 March 2011
session1_end21 July 2011
session2_start14 September 2011
session2_end19 July 2012
session3_start18 September 2012
session3_end18 July 2013
session4_start18 September 2013
session4_end17 July 2014
session5_start17 September 2014
session5_end16 July 2015
session6_start22 September 2015
session6_end3 February 2016

— Eamon Gilmore until 4 July 2014 The 31st Dáil was elected at the 2011 general election on 25 February 2011 and first met at midday on 9 March 2011 in Leinster House. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland, are known as TDs. It sat with the 24th Seanad as the two Houses of the Oireachtas.

The 2011 election saw 17 Dáil constituencies return 3 TDs each, 15 constituencies return 4 TDs each and 11 constituencies return 5 TDs each, for a total of 166. Seán Barrett was elected as Ceann Comhairle in the first sitting of the Dáil. For the first time, Fine Gael, led by Enda Kenny, became the largest party. It formed a coalition government with the Labour Party, led by Eamon Gilmore, who had achieved their highest number of seats in the party's history. In July 2014, Joan Burton won a Labour Party leadership election to become the leader of the Labour Party and Tánaiste.

Fianna Fáil secured 20 seats, the lowest in the party's history, and was the largest opposition party. The leader of the party, Micheál Martin became the Leader of the Opposition. Gerry Adams as leader of Sinn Féin became the second opposition leader. A technical group was formed following the election composed of 16 independent politicians and members of the United Left Alliance, who failed to win enough seats to gain speaking rights.

Almost half of the members of the 30th Dáil were absent from the 31st: 31 members retired before the poll and a further 45 TDs lost their seats at the election. 76 new TDs were elected to the Dáil, 46% of the total.

The 31st Dáil was dissolved by President Michael D. Higgins on 3 February 2016, at the request of the Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The 31st Dáil lasted .

Composition of the 31st Dáil

PartyFeb. 2011Jan. 2016ChangeTotal166
766610
37334
20211
1414
22
22
11
55
44
33
33
1414
11
11

Fine Gael and the Labour Party formed a two-thirds 'supermajority' government with 68% of all TDs in the Dáil being part upon its formation. Through resignations and deaths, it would be reduced to a majority of 99 TDs (60% of Dáil). It holds the record for largest government majority in Irish history.

While the two parties were the 1st and 2nd largest parties in the Dáil, it was not considered a grand coalition. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were traditionally rivals, while Labour was typically Fine Gael's coalition partner. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would form a grand coalition with the Green Party as a junior partner in 33rd Dáil.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny became the Taoiseach and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore became the Tánaiste.

Graphical representation

The following illustrates the composition of the 31st Dáil at the time of its first sitting on 9 March 2011 (after Seán Barrett (Fine Gael) took office as Ceann Comhairle). This is not the official seating plan. The government parties sit to the left of the Ceann Comhairle and opposition parties sit to the right.

The following illustrates the composition at the time of its dissolution in February 2016.

Government

  • Fine Gael
  • Labour Party Opposition
  • Fianna Fáil
  • Sinn Féin
  • Anti-Austerity Alliance–People Before Profit
  • Anti-Austerity Alliance - Socialist Party
  • People Before Profit Alliance
  • Renua
  • Social Democrats
  • Workers and Unemployed Action Group (later Workers and Unemployed Action)
  • Independent
  • Vacant seat

;Note The Socialist Party, People Before Profit Alliance, Workers and Unemployed Action Group and some Independent TDs sat together as a technical group, which was later joined by Renua and the Social Democrats.

Ceann Comhairle

On 9 March 2011, Seán Barrett (FG) was proposed by Enda Kenny for the position of Ceann Comhairle. He was approved without a vote.

  • Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Michael Kitt (Fianna Fáil)

Leadership

Government

  • Taoiseach and Leader of Fine Gael: Enda Kenny
    • Government Chief Whip and Fine Gael Chief whip: Paul Kehoe
  • Tánaiste and Leader of the Labour Party: Joan Burton
    • Labour Party Chief whip: Emmet Stagg

Opposition

  • Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Fianna Fáil: Micheál Martin
    • Fianna Fáil Chief whip: Seán Ó Fearghaíl
  • Leader of Sinn Féin: Gerry Adams
    • Sinn Féin Chief Whip: Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Committees

  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Andrew Doyle (Fine Gael)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pat Deering (Fine Gael)
  • Chairwoman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection: Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection: Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour Party)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Michael McCarthy (Labour Party)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs: Dominic Hannigan (Labour Party)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs: Dara Murphy (Fine Gael)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Ciarán Lynch (Labour Party)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Pat Breen (Fine Gael)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Bernard Durkan (Fine Gael)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children: Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children: Ciara Conway (Labour Party)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Inquiry: Ciarán Lynch (Labour Party)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Féin)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Derek Nolan (Labour Party)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Damien English (Fine Gael)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: John Lyons (Labour Party)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Select Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann: Thomas Pringle (Independent)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Select Committee on Procedure and Privileges (Dáil): Seán Barrett (Fine Gael)
    • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Sub-Committee on Administration: Joe Carey (Fine Gael)
    • Chairman of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Paul Kehoe (Fine Gael)
    • Chairman of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Privileges: Emmet Stagg (Labour Party)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee: John McGuinness (Fianna Fáil)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee: Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications: John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
    • Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications: Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
  • Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Standing Orders (Private Business): Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fáil) – Senator

List of TDs

This is a list of TDs elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2011 general election, sorted by party. Note this table is a record of the 2011 general election results. The Changes table below records all changes in party affiliation.

PartyNameConstituencyFine Gael}}"Labour Party (Ireland)}}"Fianna Fáil}}"Sinn Féin}}"People Before Profit}}"Socialist Party (Ireland)}}"Workers and Unemployed Action}}"Independent politician (Ireland)}}"
Fine Gael (76)James BannonLongford–Westmeath
Seán BarrettDún Laoghaire
Tom BarryCork East
Pat BreenClare
Richard BrutonDublin North-Central
Ray ButlerMeath West
Jerry ButtimerCork South-Central
Catherine ByrneDublin South-Central
Ciarán CannonGalway East
Joe CareyClare
Paudie CoffeyWaterford
Áine CollinsCork North-West
Seán ConlanCavan–Monaghan
Paul Connaughton JnrGalway East
Noel CoonanTipperary North
Marcella Corcoran KennedyLaois–Offaly
Simon CoveneyCork South-Central
Michael CreedCork North-West
Lucinda CreightonDublin South-East
Jim DalyCork South-West
John DeasyWaterford
Jimmy DeenihanKerry North–West Limerick
Pat DeeringCarlow–Kilkenny
Regina DohertyMeath East
Paschal DonohoeDublin Central
Andrew DoyleWicklow
Bernard DurkanKildare North
Damien EnglishMeath West
Alan FarrellDublin North
Frank FeighanRoscommon–South Leitrim
Frances FitzgeraldDublin Mid-West
Peter FitzpatrickLouth
Charles FlanaganLaois–Offaly
Terence FlanaganDublin North-East
Brendan GriffinKerry South
Noel HarringtonCork South-West
Simon HarrisWicklow
Brian HayesDublin South-West
Tom HayesTipperary South
Martin HeydonKildare South
Phil HoganCarlow–Kilkenny
Heather HumphreysCavan–Monaghan
Derek KeatingDublin Mid-West
Paul KehoeWexford
Enda KennyMayo
Seán KyneGalway West
Anthony LawlorKildare North
Peter MathewsDublin South
Shane McEnteeMeath East
Nicky McFaddenLongford–Westmeath
Dinny McGinleyDonegal South-West
Joe McHughDonegal North-East
Tony McLoughlinSligo–North Leitrim
Olivia MitchellDublin South
Mary Mitchell O'ConnorDún Laoghaire
Michelle MulherinMayo
Dara MurphyCork North-Central
Eoghan MurphyDublin South-East
Denis NaughtenRoscommon–South Leitrim
Dan NevilleLimerick
Michael NoonanLimerick City
Kieran O'DonnellLimerick City
Patrick O'DonovanLimerick
Fergus O'DowdLouth
John O'MahonyMayo
Joe O'ReillyCavan–Monaghan
John PerrySligo–North Leitrim
John Paul PhelanCarlow–Kilkenny
James ReillyDublin North
Michael RingMayo
Alan ShatterDublin South
David StantonCork East
Billy TimminsWicklow
Liam TwomeyWexford
Leo VaradkarDublin West
Brian WalshGalway West
Labour Party (37)Tommy BroughanDublin North-East
Joan BurtonDublin West
Eric ByrneDublin South-Central
Michael ConaghanDublin South-Central
Ciara ConwayWaterford
Joe CostelloDublin Central
Robert DowdsDublin Mid-West
Anne FerrisWicklow
Eamon GilmoreDún Laoghaire
Dominic HanniganMeath East
Brendan HowlinWexford
Kevin HumphreysDublin South-East
Colm KeaveneyGalway East
Alan KellyTipperary North
Seán KennyDublin North-East
Ciarán LynchCork South-Central
Kathleen LynchCork North-Central
John LyonsDublin North-West
Eamonn MaloneyDublin South-West
Michael McCarthyCork South-West
Michael McNamaraClare
Ged NashLouth
Derek NolanGalway West
Aodhán Ó RíordáinDublin North-Central
Jan O'SullivanLimerick City
Willie PenroseLongford–Westmeath
Ann PhelanCarlow–Kilkenny
Ruairi QuinnDublin South-East
Pat RabbitteDublin South-West
Brendan RyanDublin North
Seán SherlockCork East
Róisín ShortallDublin North-West
Arthur SpringKerry North–West Limerick
Emmet StaggKildare North
Joanna TuffyDublin Mid-West
Jack WallKildare South
Alex WhiteDublin South
Fianna Fáil (20)John BrowneWexford
Dara CallearyMayo
Niall CollinsLimerick
Barry CowenLaois–Offaly
Timmy DooleyClare
Seán FlemingLaois–Offaly
Billy KelleherCork North-Central
Séamus KirkLouth
Michael KittGalway East
Brian LenihanDublin West
Micheál MartinCork South-Central
Charlie McConalogueDonegal North-East
Michael McGrathCork South-Central
John McGuinnessCarlow–Kilkenny
Michael MoynihanCork North-West
Éamon Ó CuívGalway West
Willie O'DeaLimerick City
Seán Ó FearghaílKildare South
Brendan SmithCavan–Monaghan
Robert TroyLongford–Westmeath
Sinn Féin (14)Gerry AdamsLouth
Michael ColreavySligo–North Leitrim
Seán CroweDublin South-West
Pearse DohertyDonegal South-West
Dessie EllisDublin North-West
Martin FerrisKerry North–West Limerick
Mary Lou McDonaldDublin Central
Sandra McLellanCork East
Pádraig Mac LochlainnDonegal North-East
Jonathan O'BrienCork North-Central
Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCavan–Monaghan
Aengus Ó SnodaighDublin South-Central
Brian StanleyLaois–Offaly
Peadar TóibínMeath West
People Before Profit (2)Richard Boyd BarrettDún Laoghaire
Joan CollinsDublin South-Central
Socialist Party (2)Clare DalyDublin North
Joe HigginsDublin West
Workers and Unemployed Action (1)Séamus HealyTipperary South
Independent (14)Stephen DonnellyWicklow
Luke 'Ming' FlanaganRoscommon–South Leitrim
Tom FlemingKerry South
Noel GrealishGalway West
John HalliganWaterford
Michael Healy-RaeKerry South
Michael LowryTipperary North
Finian McGrathDublin North-Central
Mattie McGrathTipperary South
Catherine MurphyKildare North
Maureen O'SullivanDublin Central
Thomas PringleDonegal South-West
Shane RossDublin South
Mick WallaceWexford

;Notes

Changes

References

References

  1. (February 2011). "Final Day of 30th Dáil". [[RTÉ News]].
  2. (9 March 2011). "Dáil Éireann debate – Wednesday, 9 Mar 2011: Election of Ceann Comhairle".
  3. Collins, Stephen. (8 March 2011). "Independents agree grouping". The Irish Times.
  4. "Election 2011 Results: National Summary". [[RTÉ News]].
  5. "Election 2016: President Higgins dissolves 31st Dáil". [[The Irish Times]].
  6. (9 March 2011). "Election of Ceann Comhairle – Dáil Éireann (31st Dáil) – Vol. 728 No. 1".
  7. "TDs & Senators (31st Dáil)".
  8. (5 November 1992). "Electoral Act 1992".
  9. (10 June 2011). "Brian Lenihan remembered as a politician of integrity". [[The Irish Times]].
  10. (7 July 2011). "Naughten loses Fine Gael whip". [[The Irish Times]].
  11. (29 October 2011). "Patrick Nulty secures Dublin West seat". [[RTÉ News]].
  12. (16 November 2011). "Minister's resignation increases fears over budget cuts". [[The Irish Times]].
  13. (3 December 2011). "Strike three: Broughan finds himself back outside the tent". [[Irish Independent]].
  14. (6 December 2011). "Labour TD votes against Vat measure". [[The Irish Times]].
  15. (1 September 2012). "Clare Daly resigns from the Socialist Party". [[RTÉ News]].
  16. (26 September 2012). "Roisin Shortall resigns as junior health minister". [[RTÉ News]].
  17. "Labour chairman Keaveney votes against Government". [[The Irish Times]].
  18. "Minister of State Shane McEntee dies suddenly". [[The Irish Times]].
  19. (28 March 2013). "Helen McEntee wins Meath East by-election after third count". [[RTÉ News]].
  20. (25 April 2013). "Two TDs setting up new 'United Left' political party". [[TheJournal.ie]].
  21. (2 July 2013). "Abortion law moves one step closer". [[Irish Independent]].
  22. (11 July 2013). "Creighton votes against Govt in abortion debate". [[RTÉ News]].
  23. (12 July 2013). "Peadar Toibín suspended from Sinn Féin for six months". [[TheJournal.ie]].
  24. (7 October 2013). "Penrose welcomed 'back into Labour fold' by Gilmore". TheJournal.ie.
  25. (3 December 2013). "Former Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney joins Fianna Fáil". [[RTÉ News]].
  26. (23 March 2014). "Nulty resigns over 'inappropriate' Facebook messages". [[RTÉ News]].
  27. (25 March 2014). "Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden Dies". RTÉ News.
  28. (30 April 2014). "Walsh readmitted to Fine Gael after losing whip". [[RTÉ News]].
  29. (24 May 2014). "Coppinger wins Dublin West by-election". [[RTÉ News]].
  30. (26 May 2014). "Luke Flanagan elected MEP in Midlands NW". BreakingNews.ie.
  31. (28 May 2014). "By-elections are due to be held either side of Budget". [[Irish Independent]].
  32. (11 October 2014). "Paul Murphy elected in Dublin South-West by-election". [[RTÉ News]].
  33. (11 October 2014). "Michael Fitzmaurice wins in Roscommon/South-Leitrim by-election". [[RTÉ News]].
  34. (31 October 2014). "Phil Hogan attends last Fine Gael meeting in Kilkenny and receives hurling statue". [[Kilkenny People]].
  35. (13 March 2015). "Creighton pledges Renua will liberate politics". [[RTÉ News]].
  36. (24 May 2015). "Fianna Fail's Bobby Aylward victorious in Carlow/Kilkenny by-election". [[Irish Independent]].
  37. (29 May 2013). "Dáil votes for sale of State's Aer Lingus stake to IAG". [[RTÉ News]].
  38. O'Connell, Hugh. (15 July 2015). "Revealed: Ireland's newest political party will be called the Social Democrats". [[TheJournal.ie]].
  39. (16 July 2015). "TD Anne Ferris re-joins Labour after expulsion from party". Irish Independent.
  40. (16 September 2015). "Michael McNamara set to rejoin Labour Party". The Irish Times.
  41. (26 September 2015). "Eamonn Maloney resigns from Labour Party". [[RTÉ News]].
  42. (24 November 2015). "Fine Gael TD Sean Conlan resigns from party". Irish Examiner.
  43. (15 January 2015). "Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh resigns from Dáil over health concerns". Irish Examiner.
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