1969 Irish general election

The general election of 1969 saw two new leaders of the two main parties fight their first general election. Jack Lynch of Fianna Fáil had become Taoiseach in 1966 and was attempting to win his first election. Liam Cosgrave had taken charge of Fine Gael in 1965 and now leading his party into his first election. Brendan Corish was fighting his third general election as leader of the Labour Party. Fianna Fáil had been in office since 1957, and in spite of media predictions, the party was still very popular with the voters. Its leader Jack Lynch proved to be the party's biggest electoral asset. His quiet, easy-going and reassuring style, coupled with the catchy slogan "Let's back Jack!", attracted many new voters to Fianna Fáil. ==Result==

; Notes • Independents include Gluaiseacht Chearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta (1,522 votes). The result marked a third successive victory for Fianna Fáil, led by Jack Lynch. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael each lost votes, yet gained seats. Labour gained votes, yet lost seats. It was the last election for thirty-three years at which a government was returned to office—until the Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrats government was returned with an increased majority in the 2002 general election. Voting summary Seats summary ==Government formation==

Fianna Fáil formed the 13th government of Ireland, a majority government, led by Jack Lynch as Taoiseach. ==Changes in membership==

First time TDs A total of 37 TDs were elected for the first time: • Peter Barry • Michael Begley • Seán Brosnan • John Bruton • Liam Burke • Richard Burke • Hugh Byrne • Edward Collins • John Conlan • Ger Connolly • Gerard Cott • Bernard Cowen • Kieran Crotty • Conor Cruise O'Brien • Noel Davern • Barry Desmond • Tom Enright • Martin Finn • Garret FitzGerald • Paddy Forde • Billy Fox • Michael Herbert • Thomas Hussey • Liam Kavanagh • Justin Keating • Bill Loughnane • Gerard Lynch • Ray MacSharry • Tom McEllistrim • Michael J. Noonan • Michael O'Kennedy • John O'Sullivan • Paddy Power • Michael Smith • Frank Taylor • David Thornley • Jim Tunney Re-elected TDs • Eugene Timmons Retiring TDs • Lionel Booth • Paddy Clohessy • John A. Costello • Edward Cotter • James Dillon • Nicholas Egan • John Fanning • Denis Larkin • Seán Lemass • Seán MacEntee • Patrick Tierney Defeated TDs • Seán Collins • Patrick McAuliffe • Michael O'Higgins ==Seanad election==

The Dáil election was followed by an election to the 12th Seanad. ==Notes==