Counting continues in second day of Irish general election

Published

5 months ago

2024/12/1

Priyan

Counting gets under way at a centre in Cork [BBC]

The leaders of the three main Irish political parties have all been re-elected to serve in the Dáil (Irish parliament).

So far, 69 of the Dáil’s 174 seats have been filled, with counting having resumed on Sunday morning.

With all 43 constituencies’ first counts in, first preference percentage share for the largest three parties is: Fianna Fáil 21.9%, Fine Gael 20.8%, Sinn Féin 19.0%.

Turnout for the Irish general election was 59.7%.

Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil, Simon Harris of Fine Gael, and the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald have overcome their first obstacles by retaining their seats.

Now, they all face an even bigger challenge – to try to form the next government.

PA Media Mary Lou McDonald smiling with her arm raised in the air as she celebrates, dressed in a black top and patterened necktie... A younger woman with light brown hair, dressed in a grey blazer, is cheering and holding Mary's left hand up. To her right is a man in a checked grey shirt and hi-viz yellow waistcoat, there are press cameras visible and a large crowd of smiling supporters in the background — *Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald (center) topped the poll and was re-elected in the Dublin Central constituency [BBC]*

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik has also been re-elected in the Dublin Bay South constituency.

Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins retained their seats in the Cork South West constituency, and

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has been re-elected in West Meath and Richard Boyd Barrett from People Before Profit-Solidarity has been returned for the Dún Laoghaire constituency.

The Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman is the last major party leader awaiting his final vote. He is running for Dublin West.

On Saturday, O’Gorman told reporters it was “clear” his party “has not had a good day”. Overall, he said the Greens have had a disappointing result.

*The Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman is the last major leader who has yet to be re-elected [BBC]*

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have served together in the outgoing government, and after the first day of counting votes, they seem well placed to return to government.

If they agree to do so, they may need the support of one of the smaller parties or a number of the many independent TDs who are expected to be elected as the counting of votes continues on Sunday.

Sinn Féin says it also wants to be in the next government, and the party is ready to speak to other parties and independents.

But, based on current predictions, the scale of the challenge facing Sinn Féin is enormous.

*Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was the first party leader to be re-elected on Saturday [BBC]*

Political pundits are currently predicting that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could secure a combined total of more than 80 seats – within touching distance of the golden figure of 88 TDs needed to secure a majority in the Dáil.

The same pundits believe Sinn Féin could secure around 40 seats.

But even if it achieves that, it will still be well short of what is required for a Dáil majority.

In that case, Sinn Féin would have to look towards the smaller parties and independents.

However the smaller parties are expected to be in single figures when all their TDs are finally confirmed.

If it turns to independents, it will find a very disparate cohort of TDs.

To find common cause in such a situation will be another big challenge for the party.

To compound matters, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have insisted that they are not interested in sharing power with Sinn Féin because of fundamental policy differences on a range of issues.

***[BBC]***

PA Media Roderic O'Gorman in a blue shirt and navy suit jacket against a green wall, speaking into microphones with party members in the background — *Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald (center) topped the poll and was re-elected in the Dublin Central constituency [BBC]*

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik has also been re-elected in the Dublin Bay South constituency.

Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins retained their seats in the Cork South West constituency, and

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has been re-elected in West Meath and Richard Boyd Barrett from People Before Profit-Solidarity has been returned for the Dún Laoghaire constituency.

The Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman is the last major party leader awaiting his final vote. He is running for Dublin West.

On Saturday, O’Gorman told reporters it was “clear” his party “has not had a good day”. Overall, he said the Greens have had a disappointing result.

*The Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman is the last major leader who has yet to be re-elected [BBC]*

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have served together in the outgoing government, and after the first day of counting votes, they seem well placed to return to government.

If they agree to do so, they may need the support of one of the smaller parties or a number of the many independent TDs who are expected to be elected as the counting of votes continues on Sunday.

Sinn Féin says it also wants to be in the next government, and the party is ready to speak to other parties and independents.

But, based on current predictions, the scale of the challenge facing Sinn Féin is enormous.

*Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was the first party leader to be re-elected on Saturday [BBC]*

Political pundits are currently predicting that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could secure a combined total of more than 80 seats – within touching distance of the golden figure of 88 TDs needed to secure a majority in the Dáil.

The same pundits believe Sinn Féin could secure around 40 seats.

But even if it achieves that, it will still be well short of what is required for a Dáil majority.

In that case, Sinn Féin would have to look towards the smaller parties and independents.

However the smaller parties are expected to be in single figures when all their TDs are finally confirmed.

If it turns to independents, it will find a very disparate cohort of TDs.

To find common cause in such a situation will be another big challenge for the party.

To compound matters, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have insisted that they are not interested in sharing power with Sinn Féin because of fundamental policy differences on a range of issues.

***[BBC]***

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Keheliya Rambukwella remanded till May 20

Published

7 hours ago

2025/05/7

Priyan

[file pic]

It has been reported that former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who was arrested by the Bribery Commission today has been remanded until 20th May by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s court

All Ceylon Tamil Congress, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi secure 6 seats each in Chavakachcheri Urban Council

Published

12 hours ago

2025/05/7

Priyan

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NPP win 26 of 29 wards in Moratuwa Municipal Council

Published

12 hours ago

2025/05/7

Priyan

The National Peoples Power [NPP] won 26 of the2 wards in the Moratuwa Municipal Council. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya which won one ward has secured 11 seats in the council.

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