The general election of 1965 followed the failure of the governing Fianna Fáil to gain a seat in a by-election on 10 March 1965.

Fine Gael put forward a comprehensive manifesto, which included the establishment of a government department concerned with economic planning.

This was the first Irish general election to be covered on television by state broadcaster RTÉ, which had formed on 31 December 1961.

Cameras were present in four count centres: Bolton Street (Dublin), Wexford, Cork and Monaghan.

In November 1966, Lemass resigned as Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach, and was succeeded in both positions by Jack Lynch, who formed the 12th Government of Ireland.