On 17 February 1987, the fourth general election of the 1980s was held. Labour had withdrawn from coalition over budgetary issues, and the Taoiseach, Garret Fitzgerald, dissolved the Dáil.
A new party, The Progressive Democrats, fought the election for the first time. The PDs formed in 1985 and, led by former Fianna Fáil minister Dessie O'Malley, won 14 seats to become Ireland's third biggest party.
Fine Gael won only 50 seats, losing a lot of support to the PDs. Labour won 12 seats, with party leader Dick Spring just holding onto his seat. Despite having only 81 seats, Fianna Fáil formed a minority government, with Charles Haughey elected as Taoiseach.
A look at the first election campaign for the Progressive Democrats a new politcal party.
Production Year
1987
Contributor
Liam O'Flanagan (Reporter)
Brian Farrell (Presenter)
1987 GENERAL ELECTION
Newspaper Offers £250,000 to Predict Election Results
The Sunday Independent newspaper runs a competition offering £250,000 to anyone who can predict the election results.
Production Year
1987
Contributor
Gay Byrne (Presenter)
Philip Kampff (Producer)
1987 GENERAL ELECTION
Disenchantment Among Young Voters
Although Northern Ireland and the Anglo Irish Agreement figured in the election debates, the main issues for the large population of youth were unemployment and emigration.
Production Year
1987
Contributor
Shay Healy (Reporter)
1987 GENERAL ELECTION
Success for the Progressive Democrats
Des O'Malley leader of the Progressive Democrats a party fighting its first general election is about to be elected and his party will go on to win 14 seats.
Production Year
1987
Contributor
Brian Farrell (Presenter)
Una Claffey (Reporter)
Gary Agnew (Reporter)
1987 GENERAL ELECTION
Dick Spring Just Keeps His Seat
Labour leader Dick Spring held his seat by just four votes after a total recount.
