Independent politician (Ireland)
Aspect of politics in Ireland
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Through Budget and World War II
Provision for independents in electoral law
If a candidate is not the candidate of a registered political party, they may be nominated for elections to Dáil Éireann with the assent of 30 electors in the constituency, for elections to the European Parliament with the assent of 60 electors in the constituency, and for local elections with the assent of 15 electors in the local electoral area. They may choose to have the designation non-party next to their name on the ballot paper.
In Seanad elections and presidential elections, candidates are not nominated by parties directly, and party labels do not appear on the ballot.
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Independents supporting governments
In the case of minority governments, where the party or parties forming the government do not have a majority in the Dáil, they will usually be dependent on independent TDs in votes of confidence or to pass the budget. This can be by formal arrangement with the government.
Independent government ministers
In the first inter-party government (1948–1951), James Dillon served as Minister for Agriculture. He was an independent TD, having left Fine Gael in 1942 because he disagreed with the policy of neutrality during World War II. He rejoined Fine Gael in 1953 and became leader in 1959.
In 2009, Mary Harney continued as Minister for Health as an independent member of the government after the dissolution of the Progressive Democrats, and served until 2011.
After the 2016 general election, three independent TDs were appointed to a minority Fine Gael–Independent government on 6 May 2016: Denis Naughten as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Shane Ross as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Katherine Zappone as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Ross was a member of the Independent Alliance, and other members of the Independent Alliance were appointed as Ministers of State. Naughten resigned as minister on 11 October 2018. Ross and Zappone served until the appointment of a new government on 27 June 2020. After the 2016 general election, three independent TDs were appointed to a minority Fine Gael–Independent government on 6 May 2016: Denis Naughten as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Shane Ross as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Katherine Zappone as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Ross was a member of the Independent Alliance, and other members of the Independent Alliance were appointed as Ministers of State. Naughten resigned as minister on 11 October 2018. Ross and Zappone served until the appointment of a new government on 27 June 2020. After the 2024 general election, five independent TDs were appointed as ministers of state in a majority Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael–Independent government. Noel Grealish, Seán Canney, Kevin "Boxer" Moran , Michael Healy-Rae and Marian Harkin were appointed to various junior ministries. Healy-Rae resigned as minister during a confidence vote on 15 April 2026.
Local government
At the 2024 local elections, independents won 178 of the 949 seats on city and county councils.
European Parliament
Two independent MEPs represent Ireland in the European Parliament. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has been MEP for Midlands–North-West since 2014, and Michael McNamara has been MEP for South since 2024.
President of Ireland
The current president of Ireland Catherine Connolly was elected in 2025 having been nominated by members of the Oireachtas from Sinn Féin, Labour Party, Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Solidarity, Green Party, 100% Redress, and independents.