2024 European Parliament election in Ireland

The 2024 European Parliament election in Ireland is the Irish component of the 2024 European Parliament election and was held on Friday, 7 June 2024 on the same day as the Irish local elections and Limerick mayoral election.[2]

2024 European Parliament election in Ireland

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14 Irish seats to the European Parliament[1]
Opinion polls
Turnout1,800,226 (50.7% Increase 1.0pp)
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Simon Harris at the Special European Council - 2024 (cropped).jpg
Micheál Martin TD (cropped).jpg
Mary Lou McDonald, February 2018 (cropped).jpg
LeaderSimon HarrisMicheál MartinMary Lou McDonald
PartyFine GaelFianna FáilSinn Féin
AllianceEPPRenewThe Left
Leader since24 March 202426 January 201110 February 2018
Last election29.6%, 5 seats16.6%, 2 seats11.7%, 1 seat
Seats won
4 / 14
4 / 14
2 / 14
Seat changeDecrease1Increase2Increase1
Popular vote362,766356,794194,403
Percentage20.8%20.4%11.1%
SwingDecrease 8.8 ppIncrease 3.8 ppDecrease 0.6 pp

 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 
Michael Collins politician.jpg
Ivana_Bacik_2021_%28cropped%29.jpg
Eamon Ryan 2020 (cropped).jpg
LeaderMichael CollinsIvana BacikEamon Ryan
PartyIndependent IrelandLabourGreen
AllianceS&DGreens–EFA
Leader since10 November 202324 March 202227 May 2011
Last electionNew Party3.1%, 0 seats11.4%, 2 seats
Seats won
1 / 14
1 / 14
0 / 14
Seat changeIncrease1Increase1Decrease2
Popular vote108,68558,97593,575
Percentage6.2%3.4%5.4%
Swingn/aIncrease 0.3 ppDecrease 6.0 pp

 Seventh party
 
I4C MEPs 2019.jpg
LeaderCollective leadership[a]
PartyInds. 4 Change
AllianceThe Left
Leader since
Last election7.4%, 2 seats
Seats won
0 / 14
Seat changeDecrease2
Popular vote79,658
Percentage4.6%
SwingDecrease 2.8 pp

The elected MEPs will take office on 17 July. This will leave four vacancies in the Dáil and two vacancies in the Seanad.[3]

Electoral system

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Ireland is entitled to 14 MEPs in the Tenth European Parliament. They are elected on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote in three constituencies:

Thirteen MEPs were elected in 2019. However, the last candidate elected in Dublin and in South did not take their seats until January 2020, as part of the post-Brexit redistribution of seats. Ireland was allocated an additional seat in 2023 after a pre-election assessment of the parliament composition based on the most recent population figures.[4][1][5] The Electoral Commission recommended this seat be given to Midlands–North-West, with the transfer of County Laois and County Offaly from Ireland South.[6][7] This change was implemented by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023.

Franchise

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Irish citizens and other non-Irish EU citizens residing in the country are entitled to vote in the European elections in Ireland, provided that they are registered to vote for EU elections and that they compiled a statutory declaration issued by the local authority of their residence. Irish citizens residing abroad cannot vote for an election or referendum in Ireland. In addition, those eligible to vote must turn 18 years old by election day at the latest.[8]

Outgoing delegation

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The table shows the detailed composition of the Irish seats at the European Parliament as of 24 January 2024.[9]

EP GroupSeatsPartySeatsMEPs
European People's Party
5 / 13
Fine Gael5
The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL
4 / 13
Independents 4 Change2
Sinn Féin1
Independents1
Renew Europe
2 / 13
Fianna Fáil2
Greens–European Free Alliance
2 / 13
Green Party2
Total13

Retiring incumbents

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ConstituencyDeparting MEPElectedPartyEP Group
SouthDeirdre Clune201415 November 2023[10]EPP
DublinFrances Fitzgerald20196 November 2023[11]EPP
Midlands–North-WestColm Markey202023 March 2024[12]EPP

Campaign

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Timeline

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  • 5 April: Ministerial order fixing the election date made by Darragh O'Brien, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage
  • 15 April: Opening of the nomination period
  • 22 April: Close of the nomination period for non-Irish EU citizens
  • 30 April: Close of the nomination period for Irish citizens
  • 8 May: Date on which posters may be erected
  • 7 June: Polling day (7 a.m.–10 p.m.)
  • 9 June: Counting of votes commences

Debates

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On Monday 20 May 2024 RTÉ One's Upfront with Katie Hannon hosted a debate between eight candidates running in the Midlands-North-West constituency: Peter Casey (Ind), Barry Cowen (FF), Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Ind), Saoirse McHugh (Ind), Chris MacManus (SF), Pauline O'Reilly (GP), Peadar Tóibín (Aon) and Maria Walsh (FG).[13]

On Friday 30 May RTÉ One's Prime Time hosted 8 candidates from the South constituency: Lorna Bogue (Rabh), Paul Gavan (SF), Niamh Hourigan (Lab), Billy Kelleher (FF), Michael McNamara (Ind), John Mullins (FG), Grace O'Sullivan (GP) and Mick Wallace of (I4C).[14]

On Tuesday 4 June RTÉ One's Prime Time hosted 8 candidates from the Dublin constituency: Barry Andrews (FF), Ciarán Cuffe (GP), Clare Daly (I4C), Regina Doherty (FG), Aodhán Ó Riordáin (Lab), Lynn Boylan (SF), Sinéad Gibney (SDs) and Bríd Smith (PBP–S).[15]

Results

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PartyEP GroupCandidatesSeats±1st pref.FPv%±%
Fine GaelEPP54 1362,76620.79% 8.81%
Fianna FáilRE64 2356,79420.44% 3.84%
Sinn FéinThe Left62 1194,40311.14% 0.56%
Independent Ireland31 1108,6856.23%New
LabourS&D31 158,9753.38% 0.28%
GreenGreens/EFA30 293,5755.36% 6.04%
Inds. 4 ChangeThe Left20 279,6584.58% 2.82%
Aontú30New65,5593.76%New
Social Democrats30 51,5712.95% 1.75%
Ireland First30New32,6671.87%New
PBP–Solidarity30 31,8021.82% 0.48%
Irish Freedom30New29,7091.7%New
National Party40New12,8790.74%New
Rabharta20New11,3020.65%New
The Irish People30New11,0240.63%New
Independent212 1243,86113.97% 1.73%
Total: 1,800,226 Spoiled ballots: 54,9967314 11,745,230100.0
Source: RTÉ News

MEPs elected

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2024 European Parliament Ireland constituencies
ConstituencyNamePartyEP group
DublinRegina DohertyFine GaelEPP
Barry AndrewsFianna FáilRE
Lynn BoylanSinn FéinThe Left
Aodhán Ó RíordáinLabourS&D
Midlands–North-WestLuke 'Ming' FlanaganIndependentThe Left
Barry CowenFianna FáilRE
Maria WalshFine GaelEPP
Nina CarberryFine GaelEPP
Ciaran MulloolyIndependent IrelandTBA[b]
SouthSeán KellyFine GaelEPP
Billy KelleherFianna FáilRE
Michael McNamaraIndependentTBA[c]
Cynthia Ní MhurchúFianna FáilRE
Kathleen FunchionSinn FéinThe Left
Source: RTÉ News

Opinion polls

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Nationwide party polling

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Last date
of polling
Polling firm / CommissionerSample
size
SF
Left
FF
Renew
FG
EPP
GP
G/EFA
Lab
S&D
SDPBP–SAonIIO/I[d]
27 May 2024Ireland Thinks/The Journal[16]1,16117.417.7187.23.55.32.85[e][f]23
22 May 2024Red C/Business Post[17]1,02121142053543[f]25[g]
15 May 2024Ipsos B&A/Irish Times[18]1,50016221946332421
7 May 2024Ireland Thinks/The Journal[19]1,63322161963524[f]24
7 April 2024Ireland Thinks/The Journal[20]1,33423172063635[f]17
7 February 2024Ireland Thinks/The Journal[21]1,2552619196443[f][f]19
8 February 20202020 general election24.522.220.97.14.42.92.61.9[h]13.5
24 May 20192019 EP election11.716.629.611.43.11.22.3[h][h]24.1

Candidate polling

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Dublin

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Last date
of polling
Polling firm / CommissionerSample
size
Andrews (FF)L. Boylan (SF)Doherty (FG)Ó Riordáin (Lab)Cuffe (GP)Smith (S–PBP)Daly (I4C)Gibney (SD)N. Boylan (II)Doolan (SF)Considine (Aon)Others
31 May 2024[22]Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent49614.111.2157.47.44.88.34.69.23.42.112.5
15 May 2024[18]Ipsos B&A/The Irish Times50018151210866553214
7 May 2024[23]Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent457[24]1716147865473211

Midlands–North-West

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Last date
of polling
Polling firm / CommissionerSample
size
Flanagan (Ind)Walsh (FG)Cowen (FF)Chambers (FF)Carberry (FG)Gildernew (SF)Mullooly (II)MacManus (SF)Blaney (FF)Casey (Ind)Tóibín (Aon)Others
31 May 2024[22]Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent61412.112.510.55.377.26.45.62.62.97.520.5
15 May 2024[18]Ipsos B&A/The Irish Times5001110109987644417
7 May 2024[23]Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent631[24]109106988724621

South

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Last date
of polling
Polling firm / CommissionerSample
size
Kelly (FG)Kelleher (FF)Funchion (SF)Ní Mhurchú (FF)Gavan (SF)Hourigan (Lab)McNamara (Ind)Mullins (FG)Blighe (IF)O'Sullivan (GP)Wallace (I4C)Doyle (SD)Others
31 May 2024[22]Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent66018.514.49.54.65.73.69.94.24.36.24.73.310.5
15 May 2024[18]Ipsos B&A/The Irish Times50023181176544433210
7 May 2024[23]Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent643[24]14161345386455512

Notes

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  1. ^ Pictured here are the party's two successful candidates in the 2019 election, Mick Wallace and Clare Daly.
  2. ^ Independent Ireland has not yet stated which EU Party Group, if any, they will join.
  3. ^ McNamara, a newly elected MEP, has not yet stated which party group, if any, he will affiliate with.
  4. ^ The figure for 'Others/Independents' (including Independents 4 Change candidates) is the remainder when all others are removed. As with all such calculations, the figure shown may be slightly inaccurate due to rounding effects.
  5. ^ Includes 'Others'.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Not specifically mentioned in the report.
  7. ^ Includes 21% for 'Independent' and 4% for 'Other Party'.
  8. ^ a b c Did not contest this election.

References

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  1. ^ a b European Council Decision (EU) 2023/2061 of 22 September 2023 establishing the composition of the European Parliament
  2. ^ "Polling Day Orders made for European, local and Limerick mayoral elections". Gov.ie (Press release). Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 6 April 2024. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  3. ^ Cunningham, Paul (17 June 2024). "The loopholes to avoiding four by-elections". RTÉ News.
  4. ^ "2024 European elections: 15 additional seats divided between 12 countries | News". European Parliament. 13 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  5. ^ Cunningham, Paul (16 March 2023). "Ireland to gain seat in next European Parliament term". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  6. ^ Burns, Sarah (20 November 2023). "Extra European Parliament seat recommended for Midlands-North West". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Review of European Parliament Constituencies Report 2023" (PDF). Electoral Commission. 20 November 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Ireland - How to vote". European elections 2024: all you need to know. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  9. ^ "European Parliament". Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  10. ^ Hurley, Sandra (15 November 2023). "Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune will not contest next election". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Fitzgerald not contesting European Parliament election next year". RTÉ News. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Sitting Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey says he will not contest the European elections". TheJournal.ie. 24 March 2024. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  13. ^ McGee, Harry (21 May 2024). "European election Midlands-North-West debate: Migration a heated topic, but winning candidates hard to pick". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Eight candidates take part in European election debate". RTÉ News. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  15. ^ O'Sullivan, Colman (5 June 2024). "EU candidates for Dublin quizzed on migration, defence". RTÉ News. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  16. ^ Ryan, Órla (31 May 2024). "Independents remain most popular, while Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil overtake Sinn Féin in latest poll". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Business Post Red C Opinion Poll Report May 2024" (PDF). Business Post. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d Leahy, Pat (18 May 2024). "Big parties set to win seats in each of three European Parliament constituencies, poll finds". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  19. ^ Ryan, Órla (10 May 2024). "Independent candidates overtake Sinn Féin as voters' top choice ahead of European elections". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  20. ^ Matthews, Jane (11 April 2024). "Simon Harris's leadership makes 15% of voters less likely to vote for Fine Gael - poll". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  21. ^ Finn, Christina (12 February 2024). "New poll shows Sinn Féin out in front for upcoming European elections in June". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  22. ^ a b c Cunningham, Kevin (2 June 2024). "Poll: The race to Europe – very few done deals as candidates close in on finish line". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Corcoran, Jody (19 May 2024). "Poll reveals the key battle the local and European elections is between centrist parties and the 'new right'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Corcoran, Jody (19 May 2024). "European Elections". Sunday Independent. p. 10.
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