Meath by-election, 2005
Encyclopedia
On 31 October 2004, the Teachta Dála
(TD) for Meath, John Bruton
, officially resigned as a member of Dáil Éireann
to take up his new position as European Union
Ambassador to the United States
. His resignation resulted in the need for a by-election
. As Bruton was a Fine Gael
member, that party had the responsibility of deciding when the by-election should take place.
On 15 February 2005 the campaign began in earnest when it was announced that polling would take place on 11 March. Seven candidates contested the vacant seat, with victory going to the Fine Gael
candidate, Shane McEntee
.
On the same day, a by-election took place in Kildare North
.
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for Meath, John Bruton
John Bruton
John Gerard Bruton is an Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 1994 to 1997. A minister under two taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave and Garret FitzGerald, Bruton held a number of the top posts in Irish government, including Minister for Finance , and Minister for Industry, Trade,...
, officially resigned as a member of Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
to take up his new position as European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
Ambassador to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. His resignation resulted in the need for a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
. As Bruton was a Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
member, that party had the responsibility of deciding when the by-election should take place.
On 15 February 2005 the campaign began in earnest when it was announced that polling would take place on 11 March. Seven candidates contested the vacant seat, with victory going to the Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
candidate, Shane McEntee
Shane McEntee
Shane McEntee is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Meath East constituency, and the Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety....
.
On the same day, a by-election took place in Kildare North
Kildare North by-election, 2005
-See also:* List of Irish by-elections* Parliamentary constituencies in the Republic of Ireland...
.
Result
See also
- List of Irish by-elections
- Parliamentary constituencies in the Republic of IrelandParliamentary constituencies in the Republic of IrelandThe lower house of the Oireachtas , Dáil Éireann, contains 166 Teachtaí Dála , representing 43 parliamentary constituencies throughout the Republic of Ireland. Depending on its size, each constituency must have at least 3 members and a maximum of five members. The most recent ratio indicates that...