Changes since 2004

When an existing member resigns or dies, a member is co-opted to replace them. By convention, someone from the same party is co-opted, although the controlling group on the council may appoint whomever they wish. There is no provision for local authority by-elections. Ministers of State have usually relinquished their council seats on appointment.

Following the 1999 local elections, legislation was introduced to abolish the 'dual mandate' where TDs and Senators also served as local councillors (Local Government (No2) Act 2003). Anyone holding a dual mandate qualified for a one-off payment if they resigned their council seat.

The single largest reason for vacancies between 2004 and 2009 was the resignation of successful candidates in the Dáil and Seanad elections of 2007. However, there was a significant increase in the number of resignations due to the pressure of work invovled in being a councillor, especially in the Dublin area. Some seats changed hands nmore than once (eg Clondalkin, Mulhuddart).

*Co-opted member not re-elected at subsequent election
¶Co-opted member who didn't stand at subsequent election
§Co-opted member who stood in a different area at subsequent election

The data in the table above may be sorted by clicking on the column headings