The election for the 29th Dáil was held on 17 May 2002. The results were:

The Irish general election of 2002 entered the history books for six facts:

1. The re-election of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrat government, the first occasion since 1969 when an Irish government won re-election;
2. The meltdown in Fine Gael support, which saw the main opposition party drop from 54 to 31 seats, lose all but two seats in Dublin, and see the defeat of almost all its Front Bench, including its Deputy Leader, Jim Mitchell, Austin Currie, Alan Dukes, Alan Shatter and Nora Owen;
3. The electoral success of Sinn Féin, which increased its seat number from 1 to 5;
4. The failure of the Irish Labour Party, contrary to all expectations, to increase its seat total;
5. The election of a large number of independent candidates to Dáil Éireann.
6. Being the first time electronic voting machines were used in an Irish election. They were used in two constituencies, Dublin West and Dublin North.

In the immediate aftermath of the election, Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan announced his resignation from the leadership. All other potential leaders having lost their seat, Enda Kenny was chosen as the new leader.

Later in the year, Ruairí Quinn stepped down as leader of the Labour Party. He was replaced by Pat Rabbitte.

The 2002 general election left a very unhealthy situation in Dail Eireann, the non-government parties are fragmented and have major policy diffrences and Fianna Fail can continue in government with the support of some independent TD's even if the Progressive Democrats withdraw.

See also:

• Government of the 29th Dáil
• Irish General Election, 2007 a possibility
• TDs elected in the Irish general election, 2002