Wallop

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has described the referendum outcome as disappointing, stating that 'sometimes in politics you get a wallop in the electoral process.'

According to the Irish Independent the result has 'led to blame and recrimination within the Coalition, including ministers, who demanded answers as to why the vote was lost. '

The decision to retain the Seanad against the wishes of the government while based on a slender margin, was nowhere more felt in the capital, Dublin, where all 12 constituencies cast their vote against 

abolition.

Enda Kenny celebrating his election to Dail Eireann in 1975

Purchase framed photographs and prints @ Irish Photo Archive

Seanad Retained

Ireland, or the largest part of it, has voted by referendum to retain the Seanad. It was a crushing blow to the governing coalition of Fine Gael and Labour which had campaigned for abolition. The main opposition party Fianna Fail which campaigned to retain the institution has emerged as the real victor. The junior opposition party, Sinn Fein, sided with the governing parties on the issue.

The government is now on the horns of a dilemma, seeking as it must to reform and keep in existence a Senead it believed had no function.

11 October 1983. For Irish senators enjoy a rare autumnal sun 

Purchase framed photographs and prints @ Irish Photo Archive