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PLAY-BY-PLAY: Three recounts and a decimated Cabinet

Everything you need to know as counting goes into its second day.

IT’S THE SECOND day of vote counting in the 2016 general election, and one thing is clear: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are neck-and-neck.

The prospect of a FG/FF coalition is getting closer – and Taoiseach Enda Kenny has become increasingly pragmatic on the possibility of the two parties ruling together. Fianna Fáil, meanwhile, have been repeatedly ruling it out.

With counting yet to conclude across a number of counties we’ll keep you up to date as the situation unfolds. Here’s a list of marquee moments and things to watch for:

  • Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has secured a second seat for the Green Party in Dublin Bay South
  • Both Healy-Raes, Michael and Danny, have been elected in Kerry
  • Fine Gael’s deputy leader James Reilly has lost his seat in Dublin Fingal as has junior minister and Labour TD Kathleen Lynch in Cork North Central.
  • There is a full recount in Dublin South Central and ones on the way for Dublin South West and Wexford.

Aoife Barry here, by the way! Here to keep you up to date with everything that emerges from the latest vote counts.

By the way, when I say Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are currently neck-and-neck, I do mean it…

ff fg aoife aoife

The count in Wexford has been adjourned until 10am on Monday for a recount, which was requested by Johnny Mythen of Sinn Féin, says RTÉ.

Meanwhile, the only constituency still counting is Cork East.

There’s another recount due in Clare – that’s going to kick off at 11am.

We’ve finally got a result in four-seat Cork East: Labour’s Seán Sherlock has just scooped the first seat, followed by David Stanton (Fine Gael) and Kevin O’Keeffe (Fianna Fáil).

This is a count that was going through the night, and now Sherlock’s surplus votes are being distributed to see who will get the final seat.

Recounts have been requested in Dublin South Central and Dublin South West, but the returning officer has to make a decision on it today.

It’s down to the wire in Dublin South Central between Brid Smith of AAA-PBP and Catherine Ardagh of Fianna Fáil, with 35 votes between.

Over in Dublin South West, RTÉ reports that Independent Katherine Zappone celebrated after being 152 votes ahead of Ann Marie Dermody from Fine Gael.

We have our final seat in Cork East filled on the tenth count – by Sinn Féin’s Pat Buckley.

Here’s how Cork East looks now that all of its seats have been filled:

cork east TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

Counting has been adjourned in Donegal, after a request made by Sinn Féin for a recount of their candidates’ votes.

The recheck will begin at 10am.

Did the government get the mood of the country wrong?

That’s what Julien Mercille believes – you can read his column here.

Among his reasons:  ”Voters don’t want the kind of “stability” Fine Gael and Labour have given us “

jm aoife aoife

Just checking in on the current state of play with seats taken, and things are still neck-and-neck across the three tiers:

seats 8am Election Centre Election Centre

Regina Doherty says there won’t be a heave, and that there is nobody looking for Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to go.

She was just speaking to Morning Ireland, where she told them that “there are a lot of Fine Gael people hurting today”.

“I think we collectively need to look at what we did wrong,” she said. “We all need to learn by it”.

Labour has suffered heavier losses than Fine Gael – and here’s how one hopeful who missed out on a seat is feeling today:

Earthquakes and knives abound in some of the Sunday papers today…

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We’ve heard talk of a number of recounts and a recheck being requested – but what goes into the process?

My colleague Michelle Hennessy has taken a look, and explains the whole thing here.

recount aoife aoife

Looks like the Healy-Rae brothers are the most popular men in Kerry – and they might just have inspired another pair of Irish brothers…

It’s going to be a pretty intense day and night for Ireland – not only do we have the election counts, but we have nine nominations in tonight’s Oscars.

Here’s our look at our chances of winning a golden statuette.

oscar aoife aoife

If we do win, at least it will give people something to celebrate, if they’ve had a bad weekend of it…

Here’s Hugh’s update on what’s happening at the RDS:

At the RDS, we’re expecting a recount in Dublin South Central where there are 35 votes between Fianna Fáil’s Catherine Ardagh and AAA-PBP’s Brid Smith. There could also be a recount in Dublin Bay South where Labour’s Kevin Humphreys and Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan are neck-and-neck

Dublin Central is complete. Dublin North West is not far behind where Fine Gael’s Noel Rock is set to take the last seat.

But Dublin Bay North, which only declared its first count last night, is expected to run long into the night

Speaking of the Oscars, some alternative government suggestions from our pals over at DailyEdge.ie:

Here’s how our treats table is looking this morning. We’ve been eating a bit of fruit, in fairness to us, but the Christmas biscuits were most hard hit.

IMG_8003

Mary Lou McDonald was speaking to Morning Ireland earlier, and told them that Sinn Féin “will not be the facilitator or enablers of Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael running rampant across an unequal society”.

Meanwhile, Michael McCarthy of Labour told the same programme that what has happened to Labour in this election was “absolutely horrendous”.

zapp TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

Katherine Zappone was elected to her seat at a tiny margin – but now there’s going to be a recheck.

“I am feeling a reserved jubilance,” she told Morning Ireland, adding she feels “pretty confident”.

If she retains her seat on the recheck, she’ll become the first woman to take a seat in Dublin South-West in 15 years.

Counting has resumed across the country:

Looks like things aren’t good for Kathleen Lynch in Cork North Central:

Labour TD John Lyons was a prominent figure during the same-sex marriage referendum campaign, but he won’t be returning to his seat. He’s just one of Labour’s casualties in the GE16.

He’s sent a message to his supporters:

And here’s an update from Dublin Bay South:

Mattie McGrath, an Independent, has just been elected on the fourth count in Tipperary.

Still in contention for seats in Tipperary, now that Mattie McGrath has gone through, are

  • Jackie Cahill (Fianna Fáil)
  • Seamus Healy (Independent)
  • Alan Kelly (Labour)
  • Michael Smith (Fianna Fáil)
  • Tom Hayes (Fine Gael)

They’re battling it out for three seats.

Over in Dublin Bay South, Chris Andrews of Sinn Féin has been eliminated after Lucinda Creighton’s transfers were distributed.

Mattie McGrath told Newstalk he was feeling “joyous” after winning the second seat in Tipperary. He thanked everyone who helped him in his campaign.

He then had a go at Ivan Yates “because you never gave me a look in”.

The recount won’t be happening in Clare, according to those on the ground:

Let’s head over to Mayo now, where our reporter Órla Ryan is at the count centre.

As the 8th count (distribution of just under 3,000 votes) began this morning, Fine Gael’s local director of elections Brendan O’Dowd told Ryan:

Here in Mayo we’re in with a fighting chance of taking the third seat [for Fine Gael, and fourth seat overall]. Obviously we have Enda Kenny elected, Michael Ring is 1,100 votes short of the quota. And Michelle Mulherin is still there. She’s 176 behind Lisa Chambers so obviously it’s down to transfers at the moment.

O’Dowd says he not confident of Mulherin securing the seat.

A lot of things have to fall into place and be right to take the fourth seat … The longer Michael Ring is not elected, the better. And we would hope when he would be elected he’ll be elected with a massive surplus … that would push Michelle Mulherin over the finishing line. It’s a very, very long shot. All the gods are with Lisa Chambers.

Our Daragh Brophy is over at Dublin Fingal count centre this morning:

 

Danny Healy-Rae has been elected in Kerry – that means that two Healy-Rae brothers are now TDs.

The celebrations for Danny Healy-Rae are only mighty…

Let’s pop back to the RDS and see how Hugh O’Connell is getting on:

He has an update for us too:

Richard Boyd-Barrett told Newstalk that Fine Gael “represents the 26% of people who felt the recovery”.

When asked by George Hook how he became “ferociously left”, having come from a privileged background, he responded:

That’s a good question, which I’ve often asked myself.

He put it down to time he spent in Palestine as a student and to seeing the disparity in wealth growing up in Dún Laoghaire.

Newly-elected Fine Gael TD Josepha Madigan was just grilled about a leaflet she circulated on Traveller accommodation.

She told Claire Byrne on RTÉ that she did not want to discuss the 2014 leaflet, as she has already discussed it previously  - but Byrne told her it wasn’t something she could not discuss.

Madigan said that the issue hadn’t come up on the doorsteps, and that locals “know I work hard”.

Looks like Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams will be returning to his seat:

Speaking of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald and Martin McGuinness are in the Dublin Final count centre.

News from Cork – and it’s bad news for Labour.

Ciarán Lynch, who was head of the banking inquiry, has been eliminated in Cork South Central on Count Nine.

ciaran ly

Here’s how Louth looks now that Gerry Adams has been elected to the five-seat constituency:

louth and clear

Eoghan Murphy of Fine Gael and Eamon Ryan of the Green Party have been elected in Dublin Bay South.

This means that the Green Party now has two representatives in the Dáil.

Must watch: These are the seats you need to be watching today (you’ll spot Eamon Ryan in there):

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Don’t forget about our Election Centre – you can find out who’s in your constituency by clicking here.

We’re updating it constantly.

Here’s what the state of play is – Fianna Fáil have one more seat than Fine Gael:

state of play 1230pm aoife aoife

Kevin Humphreys won’t be taking back his Dáil seat – but he has been hanging out with the cutest dog we’ve ever seen:

Meanwhile, Eoghan Murphy, who has just been elected, has been hanging out with some young fans:

Over in Clare – where a mooted recount was called off, we have this news:

Pat Breen and Joe Carey FG elected on the final count
Michael “Malty” McDonagh eliminated.

Some sad news: Actor Frank Kelly, best known for playing Fr Jack, has died at the age of 77.

MOLL Launch. Caroline Dow Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Hugh O’Connell has another update for us from the RDS count centre, where Fine Gael’s Eoghan Murphy just won a seat:

Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy, who’s just been re-elected in Dublin Bay South has said that his party should consider forming a minority government as it appears it will have more seats than Fianna Fáil.
He told reporters: “I wouldn’t rule out a minority Fine Gael government. I think there’s every possibility of that given the seats that we have. If you look at how we did versus Fianna Fáil, I think there are similar percentages, but we had a lot more seats , we had a lot more second preferences going to Fine Gael.
“People in the exit polls said they wanted Fine Gael returned to government, so I think we should try and do that and maybe the first thing we should try is a minority government. I don’t know, we’ll have to see.”

We caught Mary Lou McDonald having a bit of fun with Dublin Fingal likely TD Louise O’Reilly earlier on:

Good afternoon one and all, Cianan Brennan taking over on the Liveblog for a wee bit.

There’s a slight lull at present from the various counts proceeding about the place. Here’s the latest seat-standings:

standing

It’s tight at the top folks.

Meanwhile, here’s a video from a little earlier of former Fianna Fáil TD Conor Lenihan channeling his inner Schwarzenegger:

Terrifying.

The Anti Austerity Alliance / People Before Profit’s Bríd Smith has spoken to Newstalk of the pending recount in Dublin South Central.

After Count 11 just 35 votes separate Smith from Fianna Fáil’s Catherine Ardagh in the battle for the last seat.

ardagh

Smith said she doesn’t perceive there is going to be a sufficient margin of error to dramatically change the 35 votes that are in it.  It’s going to be a full recount.

“We could be here all day,” she said.

In Dublin North West Fianna Fáil’s Paul McAuliffe has conceded defeat to Fine Gael’s Noel Rock on the ninth count.

In taking the last of three seats Rock becomes the first Fine Gael TD elected to the constituency in 25 years.

noe rock

Meanwhile, former Fine Gael TD Seán Conlan has been eliminated in Cavan-Monaghan on the sixth count. There’s still three seats to play for in that constituency with Heather Humphreys the only candidate past the post. Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Fianna Fáil’s Brendan Smith look in a strong position to take two of those, with Fine Gael’s Joe O’Reilly looking good for the last seat.

caoimh

There’s still three seats to be decided in Mayo with Taoiseach Enda Kenny the only TD elected so far, although it seems his party mate Michael Ring is closing in on the second seat.

Our own Órla Ryan has come up with this video to give you a greater idea of the lie of the land out west:

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Just as we say it, Michael Ring has been elected for Fine Gael in Mayo on the ninth count. The party still has Michelle Mulherin scrapping for the final seat with Fianna Fáil’s Lisa Chambers, with Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary set to take the third.

michring

Meanwhile, Dublin Bay South has been settled, with Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan and Fine Gael’s Kate O’Connell taking the last two seats. Labour’s Kevin Humphreys is eliminated, as he had expected he would be. Councillor and pharmacist O’Connell ascends to Dáil Éireann for the first time.

dubbaysth

Sinn Féin leader and newly re-elected Louth TD Gerry Adams has been speaking to RTÉ, repeating the campaign message that his party won’t be going into government with “these conservative parties”.

“We were given a mandate to do things differently. I have no confidence at all that Fianna Fáil has learnt the lessons. I have no confidence that Fine Gael have learnt the lessons,” he says.

Adams also takes a pop at the media and his opponents, saying they are more negative than the DUP in the North.

“You can’t throw that much muck at a party and not expect some of it to to stick. You go back through the campaign and try to find me a day where there wasn’t a negative story about Sinn Féin.”

Kate O’Connell and Jim O’Callaghan pictured after taking the last two seats in Dublin Bay South. The first picture of a new era of Fine Gael / Fianna Fáil detente maybe?

Labour’s Alan Kelly is now “confident” of keeping his own seat. Despite this he’s described the election as a “terrible result for the Labour party”.

When asked whether or not leadership is an issue for the party he replies:

Of course everything is part of the discussion. I’m deputy leader, so certainly everything is part of the discussion. We have to look at everything but today isn’t the day for going into detail of that.

A second interview on Newstalk sees Kelly, the outgoing environment minister, describe today as a “bittersweet victory” for him.

tipp cianan cianan

Count day is a rough experience for the losers, but take a look at the exhilaration on display here for the winners in Dublin Bay South and Dublin North West:

Oh dear, it’s looking like we’re heading for a full recount in Dublin South West where independent Katherine Zappone took the fifth and final seat by the slimmest of margins from Fine Gael’s Anne-Marie Dermody this morning.

dublinsw

Meanwhile in Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael’s John Perry, who famously took legal action against his own party to get on the ticket, has been eliminated on the ninth count. Still no TDs elected to that four-seat constituency, though Fianna Fáil senator Marc MacSharry is looking good to take the first – he’s 2,500 votes ahead of nearest challenger Fine Gael’s Tony McLoughlin.

Count 9 results

More from Alan Kelly who has been talking to RTÉ – he’s said he’s “relieved” to retain his seat:

“I have no wish to even start thinking about issues like leadership and things like that. We’ll talk about every issue in relation to our performance and everything else in the coming weeks but today is certainly not the day to be talking about things like that.”

He said that the Labour Party had to make “tough decisions” while in government, which he doesn’t regret.

Kelly also spoke about creating a plan for Labour going forward.

I am going to dedicate every moment I have to ensuring that the Labour Party will be back in its proper position and that my colleagues… will be back and [we will] bring forward new people

On to count nine in Longford-Westmeath with Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy still the only one of four seats to be elected.

Meanwhile, the AAA/PBP’s Mick Barry has been elected in Cork North Central on the seventh count. That’s a big seat for the emerging hard-left in Irish politics.

Barry has run in all four general elections since 2002, and has waited 14 years for his first win, along with Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane, elected yesterday in Waterford.

mick barry

For the final seat in Cork North Central, it could be trouble for sitting Labour TD Kathleen Lynch with Sinn Féin’s Jonathan O’Brien likely to benefit from the transfers of his eliminated party-mate Thomas Gould. That’ll be another heavy blow for Labour.

Meanwhile Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell has arrived at the count centre for Dublin Fingal. He looks likely to keep his seat. But the same can’t be said for constituency-mate James Reilly. Carnage.

The Greens’ Manchán Magan is taking his elimination in Longford-Westmeath well:

Ó Laoghaire’s victory sees him take Sinn Féin’s first ever seat in Cork South-Central.

At just 26 years of age he joins Fianna Fáil’s Jack Chambers (25) as one of the two youngest members of the new Dáil. Baby-faced Simon Harris will be feeling old…

Cork South Central has just had its 11th count, and it’s bad news for Fine Gael and very good news for Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire.

Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney is in, but Jerry Buttimer from the same party is eliminated. So Coveney and Ó Laoghaire join Micheál Martin and Michael McGrath who were elected yesterday.

Ó Laoghaire’s supporters are overjoyed, and bars of “We’re On The One Road” are being belted out around the counting centre.

Corksc

Fine Gael is in mourning at the elimination of Jerry Buttimer:

Gerry Adams has an… interesting riposte for Sinn Féin’s naysayers:

It’s the moment of truth for James Reilly in Dublin Fingal… and he’s gone.

11/2/2016 General Election Campaigns Starts Sam Boal Sam Boal

On the 10th count Fine Gael’s deputy leader Reilly is eliminated at the expense of Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly. As mentioned before Alan Farrell has made it in as has Labour’s Brendan Ryan.

It was widely expected but that’s still a massive blow for Fine Gael.

james reilly

Off to Tipperary now, and Alan Kelly has survived. He’s made it in with Seamus Healy of the Workers and Unemployed Action group on the seventh count.

Fine Gael’s Tom Hayes loses out.

Kelly and Healy join Fianna Fáil’s Jackie Cahill and independents Michael Lowry and Mattie McGrath in the 32nd Dáil.

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James Reilly has reacted to his loss on RTÉ:

“I suppose now the Taoiseach has a job to do, to be focused on. He’s not going to be thinking about my loss or Alan’s [Shatter] loss. He has to get this country back on track,” he said.

We saw what is happening in Spain. I saw an article today that said Spain’s lot is to be our lot. I really hope that isn’t the case.

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Think it’s safe to say Alan Kelly is pretty happy with his result.

Meanwhile, in Cork South Central, it appears that elected TDs Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney and Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó’Laoghaire have quite the disparity in height.

They’ll have to be separated in group photos.

When it’s over, it’s really over. James Reilly was eliminated not 15 minutes ago. The count centre is now like a ghost town.

Labour’s chief whip Emmett Stagg has lost his seat in Kildare North. He’s been eliminated on the eighth count.

There’s still three seats to play for there. Fianna Fáil’s James Lawless and Frank O’Rourke seem poised to clinch the first two, with the final spot being a face-off between Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan and Anthony Lawlor.

Count 8

Over to Mayo where the 10th count appears to be imminent.

It looks like a straight shootout between Fianna Fáil’s Lisa Chambers and Fine Gael incumbent Michelle Mulherin.

Chambers and supporters are ready for the count. They look confident.

The Mayo count is on.

And Dara Calleary and Lisa Chambers make it a double-triumph for Fianna Fáil.

Michelle Mulherin is gone.

Dara and Lisa look happy:

dara lisa

mayo cianan cianan

Fianna Fáil’s Limerick TD Willie O’Dea just told RTÉ that the abolition of water charges is a “red line issue” for Fianna Fáil.

Yikes. That could be crucial in any potential negotiations with Fine Gael.

He has now clarified slightly: Fianna Fáil want the abolition of Irish Water and the “suspension” of water charges.

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The AAA’s Ruth Coppinger isn’t buying it.

Sinn Féin’s Jonathan O’Brien has as expected taken the third seat in Cork North Central on the eighth count.

Cork North Central

There’s recount-shenanigans afoot in Donegal.

Sinn Féin are looking for a full recount of the votes of eliminated candidates Dessie Shiels and Sinn Féin’s own Gary Doherty.

donegal

Sinn Féin want Gary Doherty eliminated a round earlier than he was so his votes will go to Pearse Doherty whose surplus will then be more to go to Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.

The party is obviously in danger of only returning one TD in what should be a stronghold for them due to the dubious electoral strategy of running three candidates.

The recount is ongoing. We’ll see how it pans out.

We’re six and a half hours into the second day of counting, here’s how things stand:

Pasted image at 2016_02_28 03_32 PM

Fine Gael have landed a couple of extra seats over Fianna Fáil. They’ve got 36 and 34 respectively. Sinn Féin are on 17, independents are 13, and Labour have secured six seats.

120, 76%, of the available 158 seats have now been allocated (assuming that Dublin South West’s results stay the way they are – there’s a recount on the way).

We’re approaching the end-game.

Heres our political editor Hugh O’Connell reporting from the count centres at the RDS:

“Tense times in Dublin Bay North where the marathon count continues.”

“Fine Gael’s Richard Bruton and Fianna Fáil’s Seán Haughey are assured of seats but it’s a dogfight for the last three with Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Sinn Féin’s Denise Mitchell and independents Tommy Broughan, Averil Power and Finian McGrath all in the mix.”

“Rumour is that Ó Ríordáin will have enough support to hold a seat for his beleaguered party, while Power is proving transfer friendly.”

Here’s a little reminder of all the outgoing TDs who have lost their seat so far:

Interesting developments in Dublin Bay North. We’ve still no TDs elected of course (although Richard Bruton and Seán Haughey should be ok), but the AAA-PBP’s John Lyons has just received a hefty dose of transfers from his eliminated stable mate Michael O’Brien.

dubbaynorrrth

Could Lyons benefit from Sinn Féin transfers? There’s still a huge amount to play for in this most inscrutable of constituencies.

In Galway West independent Noel Grealish has just secured the second seat of five at the 13th count.

Incumbent Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony is eliminated.

Independent Catherine Connolly should get the third seat, then it’s a case of three into two seats between Fine Gael’s Sean Kyne, Sinn Féin’s Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Fine Gael’s Hildegarde Naughton.

grealishj

Reaction from Mayo where Fianna Fáil have managed to secure two seats.

Surviving incumbent Dara Calleary says he’s “absolutely thrilled” to have secured Lisa Chambers as a party-mate in the four-seater.

“She stood up when many ran away from Fianna Fáil,” he says.

“Up Fianna Fáil, we’re back!” a supporter shouts.

Chambers for her part is chuffed with her party’s “remarkable achievement” in electing two TDs. Her supporters sang the Fields of Athenry for her when their victory was assured.

Michael Ring has been elected for Fine Gael. He says “democracy is democracy and the people have spoken”.

Defeated Michelle Mulherin says she’s had the “time of my life” over the last five years.

Here’s Órla Ryan from the Mayo count centre with reaction from Fine Gael’s Michelle Mulherin, who has just been eliminated:

“It’s been a real thrill to be part of our democracy in this country, they don’t have it in every part of the world.”

At times like this we get to take stock … I’ve had the time of my life the past five years.

Many had predicted it would go down to the wire between Mulherin and Chambers, and a recount looked likely at one stage.

But, in the end, Chambers easily won out – with over 2,000 votes between the two women (11,686 to 9,593).

Speaking after the result, Chambers said that, after the 2011 election, it is “a remarkable achievement” to return two Fianna Fáil TDs to Mayo.

Gerry Adams has arrived to inspect the tallies at the RDS.

Meanwhile, a certain Michael McDowell has arrived to support Katherine Zappone, who while elected is facing a full recount in Dublin South West.

Green leader Eamon Ryan has told RTÉ: “It’s been a really big voluntary effort for five years with nothing, with no resources, but with people.”

eamongif1

Meanwhile, there’s a lot of Twitter talk that Fine Gael are bringing their financial might to bear on the legal mire that is the recount in Dublin South West, where Katherine Zappone may yet have her seat snatched from her grasp.

Sinn Féin and Kildare North’s Réada Cronin isn’t too impressed with how things have turned out in her native county.

Michelle Hennessy here, taking the reigns of the liveblog for a while. It’s a little quiet at the moment, we’re eagerly awaiting the next count.

The final count in Kildare North has seen three TDs elected and all four seats are now filled.

That’s Fianna Fáil’s James Lawless, Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan and Fianna Fáil’s Frank O’Rourke, joining Catherine Murphy who nabbed the first seat.

A recheck of counts requested by Sinn Féin in Donegal has been completed and the eighth count is now underway. The party is hoping transfers from its candidate Gary Doherty, who has been eliminated, will boost Padraig Mac Lochlainn and push him ahead of independent TD Thomas Pringle.

Dan Mac Guill is telling us a source from Dublin South-West confirmed Fine Gael are “bringing in the big guns” for the recount.

Katherine Zappone has brought in former Attorney General, Tánaiste and senior counsel Michael McDowell, himself a veteran of one of the longest recounts in history, when he lost out to John Gormley in 1997, after a week of waiting.

There’s Independent Averil Power checking in at the RDS:

Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

She’s one of 12 candidates left in Dublin Bay North, narrowed down from the 20 who ran in that constituency. We’re now into the eighth count there and still no one has reached the quota.

It’s looking good for Fine Gael’s Richard Bruton to take the first seat.

It’s probably the last thing on the candidates’ minds right now but you guys will probably be glad to see the back of those election posters…

Gerry Adams channelled Albert Reynolds as he paid tribute to Louise O’Reilly in Dublin Fingal this afternoon…

Daragh Brophy / YouTube

The Sinn Féin candidate clinched the fifth seat in the sprawling north Dublin constituency, pushing Fine Gael deputy leader James Reilly into sixth place and out of the Dáil.

For his part, Reilly says he will now consider his future in politics:

Daragh Brophy / YouTube

Having travelled across to the RDS to check on Sinn Féin’s Dublin Bay North hopeful Denise Mitchell, Adams told the media that Sinn Féin will try to go into government, but also spoke about how the party is on alert for a second election very soon.

RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Results coming in now from the eighth count in Dublin Bay North and Minister Richard Bruton has been re-elected.

In Wicklow, Independent Joe Behan has been eliminated in Count 9. His 5,218 transfers will now be key in deciding whether Renua’s Billy Timmins will keep his seat.

Richard Bruton seems delighted. He has now won ten out of ten Dáil elections, stretching back to 1982. He has been a TD for 34 years, one of only six members of the new Dáil to serve continuously for three decades.

Posters are already coming down in Dublin 3….

If you were only dying to see what we were getting up to in TheJournal.ie HQ during the election count weekend…..

Susan Daly here with this breaking observation from City Hall in Cork.

Well, it *has* been a l0000000ng count.

The Dublin South-West constituency is causing a real headache for count centre staff out in Citywest.

It looks like Fine Gael is requesting a full recount over the seat filled by independent Katherine Zappone.

The final result is in for Galway West after a marathon 14 counts.

Fine Gael have managed to score an interesting seat with Hildegarde Naughton, beating Sinn Féin’s Trevor O Clochartaigh to the final seat. She joins Fine Gael’s Sean Kyne and independent Catherine Connolly. Neither of the three reached the quota of 10,712.

Independent Noel Grealish and Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuiv had taken the first two seats.

While FG have ended up with two of the five seats, it reflects something of their struggle to appeal to hitherto stalwart supporters around the country that they didn’t manage to get John O’Mahony through. He was first elected as TD for them in 2007, riding high on a much-respected GAA managerial background.

The final line-up looks like this – but at least FG can say that they have now hit the milestone of 40 TDs elected.

And just when you think no count is coming, three come at once.

Next news we have for you is from Cavan-Monaghan where Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has been elected on the ninth count. He got in on 17,182 votes with a massive surplus.

Oh, Longford-Westmeath with your 12 counts (and counting) and only one elected TD in Robert Troy of Fianna Fáil.

They have now eliminated independent James Morgan but there is still no candidate with enough transfers to reach the quota of 11,056.

No second Troy, if you will.

Yes, I went there.

No seats for Renua Ireland for sure now that Billy Timmins has been eliminated from Wicklow.

Timmins lost the seat first won by his dad in 1969 and held consistently since except for one two-year break between 1987 and 1989. Timmins himself took over in 1997.

That means that Wicklow is now done and dusted with Fine Gael’s Andrew Doyle and Fianna Fáil’s Pat Casey taking the last two seats there behind FG’s Simon Harris, Soc Dem Stephen Donnelly and Sinn Féin’s John Brady.

Wicklow

Daragh Brophy, reporting from the DSW count in Citywest, pictured noted legal eagle and former minister Michael McDowell advising independent Katherine Zappone.

The seat she took there is being challenged by Fine Gael over the elimination of their candidate Anne-Marie Dermody, for want of fewer than 200 votes between her and Zappone’s final figure.

Dublin South-West: That headache has become a fully-blown migraine (sorry) with news from our reporter Daragh Brophy there in Citywest that a full recount has been ordered to begin again tomorrow.

hostimageforfree hostimageforfree

Note: That is not our reporter Daragh.

Another blow for Labour and the outgoing government with Kathleen Lynch, junior minister for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability, losing her seat in Cork North Central.

Kath

That elects Fine Gael’s Daragh Murphy, and fills the four-seater as follows:

In Louth, Sinn Féin’s Imelda Munster has been elected to join her leader Gerry Adams in the five-seater. It was the 10th count there and Munster did very well from the transfers from AAA/PBP’s Garrett Weldon to leave the result as follows:

Munster’s transfers will decide who takes the final two seats there – will Labour’s Ged Nash make a comeback from his current precarious position behind FG duo Fergus O’Dowd and Peter Fitzpatrick?

That is a question bound to be answered before the evening is out, as Munster had a sizeable 1,700 surplus to be shared out among the three.

Worth noting too that she is the first-ever female TD in Louth.

Fianna Fáil’s Marc MacSharry is the first elected for Sligo-Leitrim on the 12th count.

It’s been a long and static weekend for that constituency so it will come as a relief that he has made the quota – and that there are several runners coming up not far behind.

Take a look here:

sli

It looks like Martin Kenny will get elected for Sinn Féin in the next round, with his running mate Chris MacManus in danger of being eliminated.

While the elimination of Billy Timmins seems to have put a final nail in Renua Ireland’s coffin (Terence Flanagan is still around in Dublin Bay North but he’s not likely to get in), Lucinda Creighton is looking at a silver lining:

And speak of the… Terence Flanagan.

News just in from our reporter Rónán Duffy in the RDS:

In the Dublin Bay North constituency where Flanagan has just been dropped, an extraordinary proportion of Richard Bruton’s transfers – just over half – went to Labour’s Aodhán Ó Riordáin in ninth count.

So the state of play now in early evening:

- There are eight constituencies still actively counting into tonight. They are: Cavan-Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin Bay North, Kerry, Longford-Westmeath, Louth, Sligo-Leitrim and there is a recount ongoing in Dublin South-Central.

- Dublin South-West and Wexford are the other two constituencies to be decided: both of those have been adjourned to tomorrow morning for a recount.

We’re going to sign off here and hand you over to Cianán Brennan who is keeping an eye on those Lateful Eight constituencies. Find him here.

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107 Comments
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    Mute DM
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:52 AM

    The support for Fianna Fáil is astonishing and really disheartening.

    Remember the period of 2008-2012, when thousands emigrated and every second constructive worker lost their job, the USC…..

    They ran a circus…..How the hell could anyone vote for that.

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    Mute Reg
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:17 AM

    And add Lowry and Wallace who should have done time in jail.

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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:19 AM

    anyone else feel cheated that Kenny is now considering a ff coalition after saying he won’t multiple times. how can this man be trusted to run the country

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:21 AM

    Sure isn’t that what ……….you know the rest

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    Mute Joe Smith
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:27 AM

    Richard what is your suggestion for how the next government should be formed ?

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:29 AM

    I agree but FG ran a similar circus for the last 5 years going from scandal to scandal and people still voted for them too … Corruption riff in Irish politics – as bad as each other

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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:38 AM

    rainbow coalition ff sf SD/independents maybe anything but fg really

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    Mute Finn Tennance
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:42 AM

    I fear it was the absence of an acceptable alternative that has caused this.

    I went to the ballot boxes wanting to vote for someone who was best for my area but couldn’t because of the party he was associated with so I went independent. I’m quite sure I wasn’t the only one.

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    Mute DM
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:43 AM

    Agree Stephen, we’re not exactly spoiled for choice, but my god the last FF government was the worst in the history of the state…..

    FG are not much better but FF wrote the book on corruption in Ireland…..And it seems a quarter of the country wants FF back in office. Incredible.

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    Mute Reg
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:44 AM

    There’s no way Sinn Fein will enter government with such a small parliamentary party. They really are a party of opposition.

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:54 AM

    Oh I agree too but after the last 5 years of mayhem still a qtr of the people still want FG too …as bad as each other

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    Mute Damian Moran
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:08 AM

    We gave FG chance 5 years ago and the just milked the system and ploughed on as if they were FF.ignore massive water protests and expect no repercussions

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:54 AM

    @damian

    what did you expect could happen when FG were voted in 5 years ago. The country was broke, you cant lower taxes and give benefits to people if you have no money. you seem to think that they chose to bring in water charges because it would be a good idea?

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:58 AM

    Reg it’s time for SF to put their money where their mouth is and form a coalition.

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:00 AM

    It’s amazing how you forget about not sorting out courts, solicitors and barristers. The country is broke and it’s not us that have to foot the final bill it’s our children. Don’t forget it’s 5 years of FG policies that have us were we are now . Public services decimated, waiting lists, homeless the list goes on

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    Mute Frainc Ó Broin
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:15 AM

    FF and FG coalition would be political suicide for one of the two. Not necessarily a bad prospect if you are in opposition.

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    Mute up3bs9LF
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:27 AM

    One thing for sure what ever way this all pan’s out will be interesting…

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    Mute Tony Mac
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:51 AM

    You’re spot on Reg. It’s a shame there is no real viable option other than Sinn Fein/AAA or any other “left” parties. They simply don’t have the numbers to contest it. It’s back to square one by the looks of it.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:04 AM

    If Lowry is found guilty next month on tax fraud will he lose his seat?

    25
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    Mute C O'Neill
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:14 AM

    DM if they feck (and they will) again and betray the boters who gave them a second chance then they will be back to square one. They will not get a third chance either, instead the FF votes will go to SF. FG will be continue on their downward trajectory. It all points to a SF led government in 5 yrs time, unless this coalition (FF/FG)fails.

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    Mute C O'Neill
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:14 AM

    *voters

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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:21 AM

    Can’t see that happening Jane, I heard Paul Murphy this morning, they don’t trust SF.

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    Mute gregory
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:21 AM

    Many people took a stand on water charges protesting for 4 years due to their fear of price hikes, sale of iw, unfairness of the charge after already been hit with various other tax hikes and charges. Labour choose not only to ignore those people but try to use their union links Siptu etc to undermine the protest. Many protests were not even reported. Labour never even tried to adress those concerns in any serious way and certain Senior Labour people were condescending & flippant in their criticism of protestors.This unfuriated the people who feel very strongly about this issue.

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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:24 AM

    Who is this Eamonn O fella elected in Galway? Let’s hope he is a better TD than that O’Cuiv guy.

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    Mute Peadar O'Comain
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:32 AM

    Sinn Fein wont work with FF. They have been very clear on that. Its FF/FG or another election.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:40 AM

    From what I can see SF won’t work with anyone so what’s the point? Do they not want to govern?

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    Mute James Darcy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:44 AM

    I want one of two things. FF and SF to go in together. Or let’s go back to the balls and complete the wipe out of labour and FG.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:44 AM

    What would be your preference Pat?

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    Mute Robert Lester
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    Feb 28th 2016, 12:09 PM

    He can’t the man is a fiscal space

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    Mute Brian Harrington
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    Feb 28th 2016, 12:13 PM

    It’s the whiff of the expensive leather seats in the ministerial mercs. Sure, who could resist that

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:23 PM

    Some of you seem a bit deluded about the water protests. As if the politicians should have listened and how dare they ignore you. It was a protest, the government have no obligation to listen especially when it was clear it was a minority of the electorate which has been borne out in the election. The right 2 change parties are firmly in the minority. You act like protesting is the same as voting and should mean mandatory change. It’s narcissistic to say because you were protesting, how dare the government not listen and abolish IW.

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:27 PM

    Robert unless you’re just not following the results it’s you who is deluded thinking water charges were not an issue look at the growth in popularity of ind. Etc wake up the people have spoken

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:32 PM

    Its gone very interesting. Heard M Martin say yesterday that they couldn’t go in with FG and leave the opposition to SF! As Adams says they want to control government and opposition!! Martin said it wouldn’t look good to outside investors! The cow towing to these “investors” has started already. Its really interesting now because FF may have to drive through some real progressive steps and changes as they are so scared of SF. I mean SF are the only credible All-Ireland republican party, which is what FF said they wanted to be for nearly a century.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:43 PM

    Sorry Stephen, the water movement made a clear political pact in right2change and those candidates will win the majority of seats. That’s the point. The matter was an issue for a minority of voters.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:17 PM

    That should read will NOT win the majority if seats.

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:37 PM

    True they won’t win a majority of seats but FF said they would abolish them for the next 5 years … the term of the government(if it doesn’t fall asunder) so the people have in fact spoken like it or lump it votes don’t lie

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:25 PM

    At least Labour had the balls to go into government. SF thinking about their growth prospects over the interests of the country.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:54 PM

    Search eagle SF are a self serving party and their only aim is Brits out, everything else is an after thought. And that’s ok if you’re upfront and honest but they’ll say whatever is popular at a given time to get a few votes.

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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:08 PM

    Not sure jane I voted SD and my candidate did not make it sadly.

    I certainly do not want a FF/FG coalition. I also don’t want a FG/FF one either lol.

    Clare Daly said that the left “needed to get their act together”, and this is a very good point, why is the focus entirely on FF and FG?

    If the left were more organised and struck a deal with SF – then isn’t this an alternative?

    I mean all we hear day after day is that change is needed – yet AAA is unwilling to work with SF because they didn’t rule out working with FF/FG.

    This is a great chance for the left, if they can get that act together.

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    Mute Tom Kelly
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:55 PM

    Finn, I’ll second that.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 28th 2016, 6:48 AM

    Pretty shocked how well FF are doing to be honest. Very short memories in Ireland. Most countries in the world had a downward spiral after the financial crash but very few were quite as catastrophic as Ireland. That happened under FF’s watch. Would be very disappointed to see them back in government after everything

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    Mute Zossima
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:42 AM

    Both parties stated they wouldn’t go into coalition with each other. It ll be their first broken promise

    73
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    Mute Joe Smith
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:49 AM

    Zossima of they all keep their word on who they won’t work with then we won’t be able to form a government, do you think that would be a cos thing ?

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:05 AM

    If you vote for SF and Independents, then you weaken FG’s hand against FF. Not surprising at all. Hilarious really.

    16
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    Mute Zossima
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:21 AM

    Yes, 50% of voters didn’t vote either party so any Gov is better than a centre right ( forget about appeal of the 8th ) FF FG coalition.

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    Mute family guy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:26 PM

    Was FG any better than FF? At least FF would be know as a better party for promoting business. FG and Lab made too many promises in 2011. I lent them my vote as they asked now I took it back thank you very much.

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    Mute Val
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:01 AM

    Why FF? I can’t comprehend how the party that brought this country to its knees is surging??

    76
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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:14 AM

    Village pump politics. People seem to ignore the party and vote for the individual. This is a result of that.

    51
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    Mute Zossima
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:51 AM

    All the Fianna Fáil Yahoo’ing, Hollering and riding on shoulders is the ecstasy of a 90 grand salary, unlimited expenses, pension sorted and the Dail bar.
    These criminals couldn’t care less about the ordinary Irish people.

    72
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:39 AM

    Ecstasy of 90k… It’s amusing that people would be ecstatic with that as a salary. If you came to me tomorrow and said that figure, I’d be throughly depressed.

    12
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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:00 AM

    Would you be terribly depressed with the allowances with that salary?!

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:25 AM

    Of course you would drew, of course you would.

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    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:31 AM

    So Fianna Fáil torch the economy and then come back claiming to be the fire brigade. Guess what – they then deny they should be in government with Fine Gael even though there is no difference between them.
    Fianna Fáil – always putting themselves first!

    71
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    Mute Sean Baylon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:51 AM

    To be perfectly honest, FF real crimes in office were not preparing for an international economic downturn.. not regulating our banks enough and not broadening our tax base so we were not so heavily reliant on income tax.. FG would’ve done the same.. but in fairness to them once things went bad they made all the horrible decisions that had to be made and FG just kept up the same policies.. them going into gov together won’t be the worst thing… they are pretty much the same thing.. the real problem is ego’s.. Will they all now show they are really about putting the people first and go into gov and do what’s needed? At least this time they might actually keep each other in check..

    14
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    Mute Mark Andrew Salmon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:06 AM

    Irish politicians in general spend too much time thinking about their constituency and too little thinking about their country. The system needs to be changed so that a national parlisment is elected instead of a county cooperative.

    71
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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:55 AM

    County Cooperatives in Ireland have grown into powerful global plc’s in the past, Kerry and Kilkenny being the most striking examples.

    Encouraging more entrepreneurship at local level is the best remedy for Ireland’s economy, rather than suggesting yet another national talking shop!

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:25 PM

    We should have an overhaul of the system. Maybe follow New Zealand where each voters gets two votes. One for a candidate and one for a party. Then devolve more power to regional councils. Let them take care of the pot holes etc.

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:22 PM

    The election of mega-councillors isn’t going to go away as long as local authorities are so de-powered.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:18 AM

    FF brought this country to its knees and then we had FG continuing its legacy of taxes and corruption. Now we have the pleasure of Fianna Fáil AND Fine Gael. Two sides of the same coin. Yes, there was no strong alternative but Jesus Christ, What have we brought on ourselves.

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    Mute Stephen Kilbane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:14 AM

    Enda and micheal will be looking all doe-eyed at one another soon enough, which ones gonna bend over and take it for the sake of the national interest and gender equality

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    Mute mr magoo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:05 AM

    While the media were busy attacking SF every chance they got it the me fein party where left alone, nobody reminding us of their dodgy past. The establishment knew FG were in a bad way and labour were out so it suited them to let FF back. DOB now has a whole Dail full of buddies including Michael Lowry, Biffos brother, Enda and more, so it’s a very satisfactory result for kinf DOB indeed

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    Mute Paudi Onail
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:43 PM

    its hilarious really. All they’ve got is that one radio show Adams did, everything else he said on live tv was TRUE. FF came in 2nd but got a lot of facts wrong. We all know what FF are capable of, seems like many forget. We’ve just seen what FG/Labour did. SF will get their day, if it doesnt work out then so be it but to see change for once for 5 years is worth taking it. People really need to forget about the IRA this and that. You were fooled on the previous governments promises, the lisbon treaty, the IW, the bankers getting off, Property Tax, endless crap. Now you’re going to be fooled again. Makes no odds, the lower class is rising, the poorer and getting poorer, it will be those people that will take SF up another 50% come 5 years from now, same for the Independents and the SD’s. Take the chance and be done with it, ye have taking all the wrong ones and dead certs so far. I’m no fan of Adams btw, but Mary Lou and Doherty would have any of those FF/FG/Labour leaders for breakfast. Miriam O’Callaghan is not fit to lead debates either when her own brother is running for FF. Those that emigrated can safely say that they won’t be coming home anytime soon. They’re where they because of what you’ve voted for again. Might be ok for the Farmers and Business buddies. We have the 2nd lowest wage rates in the world in comparison to our cost of living. That ballooned over the past 5 years and the rich got very much richer thanks to cheap labour. Makes no odds, we need to leave the EU cos theyre ruling this. The country is a dump and destroyed by lowering wages and increased living costs. It can only go one way that – a growing lower class and much more poverty. This is what the EU rulers want btw so better get out.

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:15 PM

    ” Miriam O’Callaghan is not fit to lead debates either when her own brother is running for FF.”

    I do agree that with such an obvious conflict of interest, she needs to be removed from the political programmes.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:08 PM

    That’s all complete rubbings Paudi and what’s disturbing is that you seem to believe it.

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    Mute mickmc
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:13 AM

    Hopefully they’ll be able to form a good right wing government and not have to be pandering to the layabout and scroungers that will not help themselves.

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    Mute Declan Madsen
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:22 AM

    For example children, the elderly, the disable and the homeless? Or does leftist economics benefit only the subset of unemployed who don’t want to work?

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    Mute mickmc
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:31 AM

    Well I was thinking of the layabout long term unemployed who have never done or never will do a day work in their lives.

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    Mute Declan Madsen
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:57 AM

    And I asked “does leftist economics benefit only the subset of unemployed who don’t want to work?”.

    That’s a smaller subset yet, since the long term unemployed have the disabled and the long-term ill among their numbers. The normal right wing responses to “benefit scroungers” won’t have any impact there. The normal left wing responses don’t do much either.

    Is it possible the solution is nothing to do with a simplistic left/right choice?

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:28 PM

    Most right of centre voters would say of course the elderly and infirm should always be helped. People who genuinely cannot work. But everybody else? There is no excuse if you are able bodied and able minded not to be working. There should be obligation on society to continue to hand out benefits to people who refuse to work and who are intent on milking the system for all its worth.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:18 PM

    *No obligation*

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:20 PM

    “Hopefully they’ll be able to form a good right wing government and not have to be pandering to the layabout and scroungers that will not help themselves.”

    That’d require some right wing parties to begin with. Sadly we only have the center/center-left FG, FF, SF, Labour who all have variations on exactly the same policies.

    One of the things that this election has made clear is that in spite of so many apparent choices, there really are limited choices. Unless you want to go for one of the fringe far left groups with no workable policies, you’re stuck with one of that bundle.

    Renua and Social Democrats offered something new, and while SD have built some ground, Lucinda has been punished for daring to offer anything different to the safe center-left consensus.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:57 PM

    Correct. There is a need for a new right of centre party. All the parties follow the same policies in a roundabout way. It’s all traditional high tax and spend, pandering to the PS and running hefty budget deficits and borrowing billions to plug the gap. No stomach for any welfare reform, PS reform or balanced budgets.

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 28th 2016, 6:57 AM

    What’s happening in wexford? Why can’t they recount today?

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:06 AM

    They had the wrong shade of pencil.

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    Mute mr magoo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:03 AM

    It’s almost funny how the Sunday Indo act like SF don’t exist except when there is some hint of negativity then it’s emblazonedvon headlines, I would never pay money for that rag

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    Mute Kerrigan
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:38 AM

    Cue the emergence of a new party ‘Fine Faíl’… Perfectly summing up the mood of the Irish electorate

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    Mute padraig o gallachoir
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:20 AM

    If FF or FG or a weird mishmash of the 2 are the only alternatives we are ever going to have as government in this country then what is the point in ever voting again? Seriously what’s the point? I’m done with it!

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    Mute Paul O Sullivan
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:52 AM

    “They miss judged the mood of the country” if only there was massive protest and they were followed everywhere the went with security because of the dissatisfaction of the people. The arrogance of the last 5 years is hitting home today. They didn’t miss judge the mood they ignored it and tried to tell us what the mood should be. #endofenda

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    Mute Scandalasdog
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:15 AM

    It’s about time Ireland came to the realisation of what other states within the EU have realised. These government’s aren’t running countries they are managing them. We take orders from EU then our politicians rise and fall with the tide depending on how much the EU needs at any particular time. So we’re left withta situation that unelected technocrats decide what our politicians must do and we spin the politician carousel every 4 years throwing every consecutive one out depending how hard the demands from the unelected are. But after 10 years apparently you can be forgiven for destroying a country and still get voted back in. Time heals all wounds except the massive head wound the Irish electorate seem to have. Let’s go even more right as if there isn’t enough poverty unemployment health care and housing issues they vote for more of that ! Jerus I’ve almost lost faith in democracy. I actually heard a politician on the state channel saying you can’t vote your way out of problems?? What? What?????

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:00 AM

    @scandal

    What dont you understand? If we owe 40 billion, voting in a different party doesn’t change the fact that we still owe 40 billion….they may have a different way of solving the problem but the problem still exists.

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    Mute Anthony
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:39 AM

    If the politicians put a fraction of the effort into governing the country as they have campaigning we’d be in a much better place.

    Sadly, that will never happen. Once in they tend to go on a jolly.

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    Mute John Cross
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:06 AM

    FF back in power , better stock up on the brown envelopes

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    Mute Joey Gee
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:51 AM

    The national broadcaster at it again first thing this morning/
    ‘RTÉ’s Political Correspondent Martina Fitzgerald tells RTÉ Morning Ireland that if the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party supports a coalition with Fine Gael then you would have to favour it getting past the party conference.’ (from their news website)
    As I said early yesterday,if Micheal Martin thought about this as an alternative he would be crucified at his special Ard Fheis to discuss the issue, then, five years later, Fianna Fáil would become the new Labour Party, complete with their second vote collapse in a decade.
    It was John Bowman said this morning at 1.30 that Eamon O Cuiv had ruled out coalition with Fine Gael, that wing of their party will not be bought off, especially in the year that’s in it.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:51 AM

    FF, SF, SD and a few independents?

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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:27 AM

    Eamonn O.

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    Mute Joey Gee
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    Feb 28th 2016, 12:58 PM

    Jane, Fianna Fáil could but, Sinn Féin have clearly ruled such out, the will of the people has prevailed, and may well again within a few months, the sad thing is, whom of the political leaders will be at the front of the General Post Office in April, hopefully not the leader of the party which helped partition our nation.
    One thing is for certain, it won’t be Gerry or Mary.

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    Mute Mel Mcintyre
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:09 AM

    A coalition of anykind with Enda Kenny and Michael Noonan is unexceptable ,other than a role as backbenchers ,FG must realise that these 2 despots are a reason why so many of their TD lost their seats ,along with this mith of a massive recovery ,all we are doing is introducing all the bad aspects of the Celtic Tiger that rouned our country ,for the gamblers that were at the helm

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:39 AM

    Don’t do it FG. Hung Dáil all the way.

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    Mute LesBehan
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:17 AM

    “We need to reflect on that because we did make mistakes as a political party” – Jerry Buttimer

    They are even beginning to sound like Fianna Fail now!

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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:52 AM

    International media are expecting a hung parliament lol. Yes if it was any other country that might happen.

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:39 AM

    We have now not one but two Healy-Raes in the Dail!!!!, *#*”$%~#*^, Pardon my french

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    Mute leartius
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:22 AM

    The people have spoken, now the only question is will these canditates but party first or country first. The biggest majority are those who failed to vote and this should be investigated. It opens the system to fraud and we must get to a stage of using photo ID when voting. I can’t believe that the percentage is so high, 4 in very 10 have given up on politics. Their option is unknown that is the biggest embarrassment for this election. This is the vote party should be fighting for.

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    Mute Joey Gee
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:13 AM

    the latest from no less than the leas Uachtarán Sinn Féin,
    ‘Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said her party would not be enablers of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil running “rampant” across an unequal society.

    Speaking on RTÉ Morning Ireland, Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin would be very different from the Labour Party in that respect.

    She said going into Government with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail or both was a matter for the Ard Fheis (again from RTE website)
    Gerry will, perhaps not for the first time, sell himself, and republicanism, to whomever wants to pay them the most, Judas Adams and chips looking to support one or other it seems.

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    Mute Cathal O'Flaherty
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:52 AM

    It’s depressing to contemplate a FF/FG coalition,but if we ever want to have a government without either of them involved,this had to happen.If the left are ever to offer an alternative government,this will be the time to sort themselves out.

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    Mute Euro Vaping Supplies
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:47 AM

    I’m amazed to see people have voted for a FG/FF coalition. That’s essentially the only real government possible now.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:04 AM

    No one voted for a FF/FG coalition….was it in their manifesto or on the ballot paper?

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:24 PM

    For once I agree with Al.

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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:11 PM

    That’s the reality Al, if they form a coalition then we’re back to parties making promises that they can’t and won’t obligate.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:22 PM

    I didn’t know FF have to take any decision on a coalition to an Ard Fheis. If FF are the smallest party then I can’t see it happening, their egos won’t allow that and they know it would be a huge risk. Other FFers are saying a coalition with Labour, SocDems, Greens and other indos could happen.

    This is going to be a long drawn out pain in the a**e. Each party will try and court smaller parties and indos and all kinds of promises will be made, you may even get the Healy Rae gobs**tes having a say if their numbers are needed and god knows what concessions they’ll get.

    This is a just painful.

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    Mute Epi Retro
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:33 PM

    % of 1st preference votes according to the Irish Times: Labour 6.6%.

    A Tribunal of Inquiry should be established, under a high court judge, to determine whether these 6.6% actually exist in real life and, if not, impostors and vote-count fraudsters should be given lengthy jail terms.

    I mean, I have not met or heard of a single person who voted for the Labour Party.

    But perhaps its simply a matter of Labour voters being too embarrassed to admit to their vice?

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    Mute Paul Fanshawe
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    Feb 28th 2016, 5:47 PM

    “Gerry Adams channelled Albert Reynolds as he paid tribute to Louise O’Reilly in Dublin Fingal this afternoon”.

    What does that mean?

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    Mute Ireland, MS & Me
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    Feb 28th 2016, 5:15 PM

    FF: “Hi, IMF, ECB and EU. Remember us? We’re baaaack!”

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    Mute Luke McKeon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:43 PM

    Fianna Fail gonna get 40+ seats after what they did, I’ve never been less proud to be Irish to be honest.

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    Mute Robert Breen
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:42 AM

    I don’t want a fianna gael government

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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:15 PM

    A minority government? Really? That won’t fare to well with FG, with it inevitably being incredibly unstable and the then inevitable vote of no confidence by the opposition, which will more than likely pass will lead to FG being weaker than they have ever been.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:49 PM

    A minority FG government would be bad for FG long term as they’d probably face collapse at the next election as the global economy is on very shaky ground which affect Ireland. It would suit FF as they’d probably walk in at the next election and it would not suit SF as FF would really steal their thunder as the biggest opposition party.

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