Dublin South West (Dáil Éireann constituency)

History and boundaries

The constituency is located in the southern part of South Dublin county. One of this name was first created in the 1940s and was used for elections from 1948 to 1973 inclusive. The original constituency was based around the areas of Ballyfermot, Crumlin and Kilmainham. The constituency was then abolished and was mostly replaced by the Dublin Ballyfermot constituency. In its current incarnation the seat was created in 1981 and had completely different boundaries from the original pre-1977 constituency, being based around the areas of Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart, Tallaght, Templeogue, and parts of Terenure.

In 1998, it was reduced in size and electorate, losing territory—including Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Clondalkin—to the new Dublin Mid-West seat. Major areas today include Rathfarnham, Tallaght, and Templeogue, with the surrounding suburbs of Ballyboden, Ballyroan, Butterfield, Firhouse, Greenhills, Knocklyon, Willbrook, and parts of Terenure. At the 2016 general election, it gained a seat to become a five-seater and part of Dublin South, around Rathfarnham, was added to it.

The Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2013 defines the constituency as:

"In the county of South Dublin the electoral divisions of: Ballinascorney, Ballyboden, Bohernabreena, Edmondstown, Firhouse-Ballycullen, Firhouse-Knocklyon, Firhouse Village, Rathfarnham-Ballyroan, Rathfarnham-Butterfield, Rathfarnham-Hermitage, Rathfarnham-St. Enda’s, Rathfarnham Village, Tallaght-Avonbeg, Tallaght-Belgard, Tallaght-Fettercairn, Tallaght-Glenview, Tallaght-Jobstown, Tallaght-Killinardan, Tallaght-Kiltipper, Tallaght-Kingswood, Tallaght-Millbrook, Tallaght-Oldbawn, Tallaght-Springfield, Tallaght-Tymon, Templeogue-Cypress, Templeogue-Limekiln, Templeogue-Orwell, Templeogue-Osprey, Templeogue Village, Terenure-St. James; and those parts of the electoral divisions of Clondalkin-Ballymount and Tallaght-Kilnamanagh situated west of a line drawn along the M50 Western Parkway."

Constituency profile

The constituency leans towards left wing parties such as the Labour Party and Sinn Féin. Both Labour party TDs elected in 2011 had been members of other left wing parties: Pat Rabbitte of the Workers' Party of Ireland and Democratic Left, and Eamonn Maloney was a member of the Jim Kemmy's Democratic Socialist Party. With the departure of Brian Hayes in 2014, the constituency was entirely represented by four left of centre TDs upon the election of Paul Murphy of the Anti-Austerity Alliance in the 2014 by-election.

The constituency is noted for its volatility: in three consecutive general elections, the poll topper from the previous election lost his seat, Brian Hayes in 2002, Seán Crowe in 2007 and Conor Lenihan in 2011.

TDs 1948–1977

Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.

TDs since 1981

Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.

1976 by-election

Following the death of Fianna Fáil TD Noel Lemass, Jnr, a by-election was held on 10 June 1976. The seat was won by the Labour Party candidate Brendan Halligan.

1970 by-election

Following the death of Labour Party TD Seán Dunne, a by-election was held on 4 March 1970. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Seán Sherwin.

1959 by-election

Following the death of Fianna Fáil TD Bernard Butler, a by-election was held on 22 July 1959. The seat was won by the Fine Gael candidate Richie Ryan.

1956 by-election

Following the death of Fine Gael TD Peadar Doyle, a by-election was held on 14 November 1956. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Noel Lemass, Jnr.