Dublin South-West (Dáil constituency)

Dublin South-West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 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 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 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.

History and boundaries
The first constituency of this name was created by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1947. It was based in Dublin city and was in use at elections from 1948 to 1977.

A second constituency of this name was created by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1980, and has been in use since the 1981 general election. It was in a different area to the 1948–1977 constituency, being based in County Dublin (South Dublin, after the division of County Dublin in 1994), in the areas of Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart, Tallaght, Templeogue, and parts of Terenure. At the 2002 election, it was reduced in size and electorate, losing territory — including Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Clondalkin — to the new Dublin Mid-West constituency. 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-seat constituency, with the addition of part of the former Dublin South constituency, around Rathfarnham.

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

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

TDs since 1981
''Note that the boundaries of Dublin South-West from 1981 onwards share no common territory with the pre-1977 boundaries. See §History and boundaries''

1976 by-election
Following the death of Fianna Fáil TD Noel Lemass, 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.