On the morning of the election of a new Taoiseach, several deputies attended a special mass at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. With the issue of who would form the next government still in doubt, a number of deputies offered their opinions.
Liam O Muirthile meets some of the politicians outside a special mass in the Pro Cathedral. Sean Dublin Bay Loftus says he will take up the position of Ceann Comhairle, "only if it's in the national interest....there's a hung Dáil situation".
Michael D. Higgins,
If I may be humorous about it there's always something about the opening of Leinster House which is something akin to a hotel atmosphere before an all-Ireland final. When Fianna Fáil are doing well it gets pretty exuberant like paper hats almost...when the other parties come in it's a bit more restrained.
Joe Sherlock is asked about being instructed to vote a certain way by his party Sinn Fein the Workers Party.
Ivan Yates, who, at the age of 21, was attending the Dáil as the youngest-ever TD elected says it is
A very exciting time, first day in the Dáil delighted with the result of the election.
He's asked if it's like being at school for the first time. Yates replies,
Yes there are similarities...but it's more exciting and more important I think.
The reporter tries to get a few words from Haughey who replies in Irish that he's not able to talk at the moment. Ó Muirthile also gets comments from Michael O Leary.
Garret Fitzgerald is asked what's uppermost in his mind at that moment. He says the economy. He's also asked if he's confident that he'll be taoiseach to which he replies, "We'll know at 4 o'clock or thereabouts".
Title: |
General Election |
Clip Duration: |
00:04:26 |
Material Type: |
Audio |
Clip Title: |
Who Forms the Next Government? |
Series Title: |
News at One Thirty |
Information: |
Following the General Election of 1981 there was a doubt as to who would form the next government. On the morning a Taoiseach was due to be elected RTÉ News sought the opinions of some of the elected TDs. This report was broadcast on 'News at One Thirty' on 30 June 1981. Among those recorded are Seán Dublin Bay Loftus, Joe Sherlock, Garret Fitzgerald and Ivan Yates, who, at the age of 21, was attending the Dáil as the youngest ever TD elected. The photograph accompanying this clip is of Fine Gael TD Ivan Yates in Leinster House, Dublin, in May 1983. This still was taken for use in RTÉ News bulletins. The photographer was Tom Holton. © RTÉ Stills Library 2082-012 |
Local Keywords: |
Politics, Elections, Debates, Seán Dublin Bay Loftus, Michael D. Higgins, Ivan Yates, Garret Fitzgerald |
Coverage: |
Ireland, Dublin |
Topic: |
Politics and Economics |
Contributor(s): |
Liam Ó Muirthile (Reporter) |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
First Broadcast Channel: |
RTÉ Radio One |
Broadcast Date: |
30/06/1981 |
Production Year: |
1981 |
Country of Production: |
Ireland |
Original Identifier: |
QCC000133 |
IPR Restrictions: |
Rights Reserved - Free Access |
Rights, Terms and Conditions: |
Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Libraries and Archives. If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us. RTÉ Libraries and Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us. |
Item Type: |
part/extract |
Sound: |
Mono |
Language: |
English (eng) |
