Three-seaters did not favour main parties

THREE-SEAT constituencies did not markedly favour the main parties in the 2002 General Election.

While Fianna Fáil fared well in smaller constituencies, Fine Gael fared comparatively poorly, with the Labour Party picking up proportionately more seats in the three-seaters than in four- or five-seaters.

Fianna Fáil won half of the 48 seats in the 16 constituencies, representing a marginally better return than in larger constituencies.