In November 1994, Labour left the coalition with Fianna Fáil, and for the first time in Ireland, a party left government and formed a new government with the opposition parties of Fine Gael and Democratic Left.
This Rainbow Coalition ran again for the election of June 1997. Following the count, no party had a clear majority. Both Labour and the Progressive Democrats lost heavily. Discussions resulted in a government formed by a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrat coalition backed by four independent TDs.
Presiding Officer Loses After Photograph With Bertie
Anne Butler tells Marian Finucane and 'Liveline' listeners how she lost her job as a presiding officer in Bruff after being photographed shaking hands with Bertie Ahern.
Production Year
1997
Contributor
Marian Finucane (Presenter)
1997 GENERAL ELECTION
"Canvassing is a Hypocritical Practice"
Eoghan Harris questions the validity of canvassing for votes door to door during elections in Ireland.
Production Year
1997
Contributor
Mairéad de Buitléir (Reporter)
1997 GENERAL ELECTION
Harney and Spring Clash
Mary Harney of the Progressive Democrats and Dick Spring of the Labour Party debate live on television.
Production Year
1997
Contributor
Carole Coleman (Reporter)
1997 GENERAL ELECTION
Reaction to John Bruton and Bertie Ahern TV Debate
Early morning commuters give their reaction to the previous night's televised debate between John Bruton and Bertie Ahern.
Production Year
1997
Contributor
Niall Martin (Reporter)
Aine Lawlor (Presenter)
David Hanly (Presenter)
1997 GENERAL ELECTION
Gormley Calls for Electronic Voting
As the count in the Dublin South East constituency drags on John Gormley of the Green Party says it is time for computerised voting.
Production Year
1997
Contributor
Paul Cunningham (Reporter)
1997 GENERAL ELECTION
Fewer Women in Parliament
After the 1997 general election there are only twenty women who have seats in parliament.
Production Year
1997
Contributor
Margaret Ward (Reporter)
1997 GENERAL ELECTION
Election Success For Independents
When the Labour and the Progressive Democrats parties both suffered heavy seat losses in the 1997 general election, the independent candidates and small parties benefited.
Production Year
1997
Contributor
Mike Milotte (Reporter)
Miriam O'Callaghan (Presenter)
