The 1967 Irish local elections were held in all the counties, cities and towns of Ireland on Wednesday, 28 June 1967.[1] The result was a large gain in seats for Fine Gael, while Fianna Fáil and Labour remained largely unchanged on net seat totals. Others, including independents and Sinn Féin, lost many seats.

Under the Electoral Act 1963, the elections were due to be held in 1965.[2] However, they were postponed twice.[3][4]

The context of the elections was an Ireland in the process of rapid modernisation. Social changes since the 1960 local elections include the launch of the first national television network, Telefís Éireann, in 1961. The National Farmers Association campaigned against the Fianna Fáil government, which was reducing tariffs in preparation for European Economic Community membership. Several NFA representatives won seats, particularly in Tipperary and Offaly. Labour's breakthrough in Dublin, coupled with a decline in rural areas, marked another step in its transformation from a rural party to an urban one.

Results

Party Seats ± First pref. votes[5] % FPV ±%
Fianna Fáil 333 463,233 40.1
Fine Gael 285 377,065 32.6
Labour 80 174,064 15.1
Independent, Sinn Féin and others 81 141,091 12.2
Total 779 1,155,453 100 —

See also

References

  1. ^ "High poll may be "protest" vote". The Irish Times. 29 June 1967. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  2. ^ Electoral Act 1963, s. 81: Year of election (No. 19 of 1963, s. 81). Enacted on 12 July 1963. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  3. ^ Local Elections Act 1965, s. 1: Postponement of 1965 local elections (No. 19 of 1965, s. 1). Enacted on 20 July 1965. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  4. ^ Local Elections Act 1966, s. 1: Alteration of years for holding local elections (No. 28 of 1966, s. 1). Enacted on 15 November 1966. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  5. ^ "Final first preferences". The Irish Times. 4 July 1967. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2011.


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