Changes

While Irish politics since independence has been dominated by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour, many other parties have had important roles to play throughout the decades. Many of them are no defunct, and many more are insignifigant in comparison to the main parties, but here is a list of all parties that have had at least one member elected to the Dáil during the lifetime of the state. Major parties have their own entries.

While Irish politics since independence has been dominated by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour, many other parties have had important roles to play throughout the decades. Many of them are no defunct, and many more are insignifigant in comparison to the main parties, but here is a list of all parties that have had at least one member elected to the Dáil during the lifetime of the state. Major parties have their own entries.

*'''[[Fianna Fáil]] (Soldiers of Destiny)'''

'''[[Fianna Fáil]] (Soldiers of Destiny)'''

*Established in 1926 by [[Eamon de Valera]]. Fianna Fáil is the legacy of the members of Sinn Féin in 1921 who voted against the Anglo-Irish treaty. In 1926, realising that the Sinn Féin policy of [[abstentionism]] was not helping them achieve their goals, de Valera led his supporters to forming the new Fianna Fáil party. First elected in 1932, the party has been the most dominant and electorally-successful party since. Due to its history, the party does not have a clear ideological stance, and for most of its existance has relied on being a populist party, usually keeping to the centre-right of politics, but by no means conservative (or liberal). The party is currently in government since 1997 and is under the leadership of [[Brian Cowen]].

*Established in 1926 by [[Eamon de Valera]]. Fianna Fáil is the legacy of the members of Sinn Féin in 1921 who voted against the Anglo-Irish treaty. In 1926, realising that the Sinn Féin policy of [[abstentionism]] was not helping them achieve their goals, de Valera led his supporters to forming the new Fianna Fáil party. First elected in 1932, the party has been the most dominant and electorally-successful party since. Due to its history, the party does not have a clear ideological stance, and for most of its existance has relied on being a populist party, usually keeping to the centre-right of politics, but by no means conservative (or liberal). The party is currently in government since 1997 and is under the leadership of [[Brian Cowen]].

*'''[[Fine Gael]] (Clan of the Gael)'''

 

'''[[Fine Gael]] (Clan of the Gael)'''

*The modern Fine Gael party is the direct descendent of the ''Cumann na nGaedheal'' party formed by the supporters of the Anglo-Irish treaty. The Cumann were in power between 1923 and 1932, during which time they helped build an impressive national infrastructure - the quick and successful establishment of a national police force (''An Garda Síochána'') being hailed as one of their greatest achievements. In 1934 Cumann na nGaedheal merged with the Catholic Centre Party, the Farmers Party and the National Guard to form the ''Fine Gael'' party. Although not as electorally successful as Fianna Fáil, the party has always been the second largest in Ireland, and has served successfully in governments in the 1950s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Like Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael remain mostly centrist on issues, with occasional veers to the centre-left or centre-right depending on the political climate of the time or the personal ideology of the party leader. The party is currently the Main Opposition in parliament, under the leadership of [[Enda Kenny]]. It is touted to possibly win the next general election, due to FF's poor showings in polls and the gains Fine Gael made in the last election.

*The modern Fine Gael party is the direct descendent of the ''Cumann na nGaedheal'' party formed by the supporters of the Anglo-Irish treaty. The Cumann were in power between 1923 and 1932, during which time they helped build an impressive national infrastructure - the quick and successful establishment of a national police force (''An Garda Síochána'') being hailed as one of their greatest achievements. In 1934 Cumann na nGaedheal merged with the Catholic Centre Party, the Farmers Party and the National Guard to form the ''Fine Gael'' party. Although not as electorally successful as Fianna Fáil, the party has always been the second largest in Ireland, and has served successfully in governments in the 1950s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Like Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael remain mostly centrist on issues, with occasional veers to the centre-left or centre-right depending on the political climate of the time or the personal ideology of the party leader. The party is currently the Main Opposition in parliament, under the leadership of [[Enda Kenny]]. It is touted to possibly win the next general election, due to FF's poor showings in polls and the gains Fine Gael made in the last election.

*'''Labour Party'''

*'''Labour Party'''

*'''Sinn Féin (Ourselves)'''

*'''Sinn Féin (Ourselves)'''

*'''Progressive Democrats'''

*'''Progressive Democrats'''

*'''Green Party'''

*'''Green Party'''

*'''Clann na Poblachta (The Republican Party)'''

*'''Clann na Poblachta (The Republican Party)'''

*'''Clann na Talhum (Farmers Party)'''

*'''Clann na Talhum (Farmers Party)'''

*'''Centre Party'''

*'''Centre Party'''

*'''Socialist Party'''

*'''Socialist Party'''

*'''Independents'''

*'''Independents'''