irish general election, 1977

The election for the 21st Dil was held on June 16, 1977.

Results

align="center" \| Party	align="center" \| Leader	align="center" \| Seats	align="center" \| Loss/Gain	align="center" \| Dil Seats (%)
Fianna Fil	align="right" \| Jack Lynch	align="center" \| 84	align="center" \| + 15	align="center" \| 56.8
Fine Gael	align="right" \| Liam Cosgrave	align="center" \| 43	align="center" \| - 11	align="center" \| 29.1
Labour	align="right" \| Brendan Corish	align="center" \| 17	align="center" \| - 2	align="center" \| 11.5
Others	align="right" \| -	align="center" \| 4	align="center" \| + 2	align="center" \| 2.7

Overview

The 1977 General Election was one of the most significant for Fianna Fil in all its history. It resulted in the defeat of the ruling National Coalition of Fine Gael and the Labour Party and the victory of Fianna Fil. Jack Lynch became Taoiseach for the second time while the leaders of Fine Gael and the Labour Party, Liam Cosgrave and Brendan Corish respectively, resigned as leaders of their political parties. Fine Gael and the Labour Party fought the election campaign as a team again. They hoped that their record alone would guarantee re-election, however, this was not the case. However, certain events including the resignation of President Dlaigh in 1976 and the redrawing of constituency boundaries would go against the coalition. Fianna Fil ran a tightly controlled campaign. They promised big tax cuts and increased public spending. Jack Lynch toured the country in an American-style meet and greet of the electorate. Many commentators had predicted a return to power for the National Coalition, however, Fianna Fil returned to government with a twenty-seat Dil majority. It was and still remains the biggest Dil majority ever achieved by a single party.

First time TDs

Retiring TDs

By-Elections

November 7, 1979: In Cork City the Labour Party loses its seat to Fine Gael. On the same day in Cork North East Fianna Fil loses one of its seats to Fine Gael.
November 23, 1983: Following the death of Joseph Brennan, Clem Coughlan retains the seat for Fianna Fil in Donegal.