Dublin South-Central (Dáil constituency)

Dublin South-Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies (Teachtaí Dála, commonly known as TDs) on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

Constituency profile
The constituency comprises Ballyfermot, Bluebell, Crumlin, Drimnagh, Dolphin's Barn, the Liberties, Chapelizod, Walkinstown and parts of Terenure on the fringes. The largest employers in the area are the Guinness Brewery and St. James's Hospital. Dubbed the "People's republic of Dublin South-Central, the constituency is one of the country's most left-wing, with all of the TDs from centre-left or left-wing parties. Both Labour Party TDs elected in 2011 had previously been members of other left-wing parties: Eric Byrne was a former member of the Workers' Party and Democratic Left, and Michael Conaghan had stood in a number of elections for Jim Kemmy's Democratic Socialist Party.

History and boundaries
A constituency of this name was created by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1947 containing the Mansion House, Merchants' Quay, Royal Exchange, St. Kevin's, South Dock, Usher's and Wood Quay wards of Dublin. Its boundaries changed considerably over the years, generally moving to the west within the city.

Under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2005, which took effect at the 2007 general election, the constituency boundary was extended to the north side of the River Liffey, taking in Islandbridge. It is now located near the centre of Dublin city, and also contains part of South Dublin. The constituency comprises Harold's Cross west, Drimnagh, Walkinstown, Crumlin, Inchicore, Ballyfermot and Kimmage.

The Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017 defines the constituency as:

The Constituency Review Report 2023 of the Electoral Commission recommended that at the next general election Dublin South-Central be altered by the transfer of territory from Dublin Bay South and the transfer of territory to Dublin Mid-West and Dublin South-West.

For the next general election, the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023 defines the constituency as:

1999 by-election
Following the death of Labour Party TD Pat Upton, a by-election was held on 27 October 1999, when turnout was only 27.9%, down from 60% at the 1997 general election. The seat was narrowly won by the Labour Party candidate Mary Upton, sister of the deceased TD.

1994 by-election
Following the resignation of Fianna Fáil TD John O'Connell, a by-election was held on 9 June 1994. The seat was won by the Democratic Left candidate Eric Byrne.

November 1982 general election
John O'Connell was Ceann Comhairle at the dissolution of the 23rd Dáil and therefore deemed to be returned automatically. The constituency was treated as a four-seater for the purposes of calculating the quota.

February 1982 general election
John O'Connell was Ceann Comhairle at the dissolution of the 22nd Dáil and therefore deemed to be returned automatically. The constituency was treated as a four-seater for the purposes of calculating the quota.

1958 by-election
Following the resignation of Independent TD Jack Murphy, a by-election was held on 25 June 1958. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Patrick Cummins.