This book is the definitive analysis of the 2016 Irish general election and is the eighth book
in the well-established How Ireland Voted series. The 2011 election in Ireland was
characterised as an earthquake but the aftershocks visible in the 2016 election were equally
dramatic. This election saw the rout of the government that had presided over a remarkable
economic recovery and marked a new low for the strength of the traditional party system as
smaller parties and independents attracted almost half of all votes. The first chapter sets the
context and later ones investigate the extent to which the outgoing government fulfilled its
2011 pledges and how candidates were selected. The success or otherwise of campaign strategies
is assessed the results and the behaviour of voters are analysed and the aftermath when it
took a record length of time to form a government is explored. Other chapters examine the
consequence of new gender quotas for candidate selection consider the reasons for the unusual
success of independents and reflect on the implications. The book also reveals intriguing
insights into the candidates' experiences of the election both successful and unsuccessful. It
will be of use to students teachers and scholars of Irish politics as well as the wider
reader interested in Irish politics and elections.
