Labour or Independents? Kenny mulls over options as last counts begin
Taoiseach-in-waiting Enda Kenny is expected to decide later how to approach the formation of a new Government.
It remains unclear whether a coalition with Labour or a single-party Government propped up by Independents will form the new Government when the 31st Dáil meets on March 9.
One hundred and thiry-one seats have so far been filled, including that of Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk, who is automatically returned.
Fine Gael has 59 seats and Labour has 31. Fianna Fáil has 14 seats while Sinn Féin has 13.
Eleven Independents have been elected so far, and the Socialist Party has three seats.
Meanwhile, nine counts are due to resume this morning.
Addressing party faithful in Dublin last night, Enda Kenny promised to cherish, nurture and protect the faith the Irish people had put in him and Fine Gael.
The Taoiseach-in-waiting is promising a new politics, where the values of the people are at the heart of Government, but he is refusing to say whether he favours a coalition with Labour that would have a massive majority or to go it alone with the support of a few independents.
Labour's being just as coy - the party's now the second largest in teh country and would need the support of the membership for any participation in government.
Party leader Eamon Gilmore:
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil's meltdown will continue today. The party is hoping to win two dozen seats, but has already seen some big names lose out, including Mary Coughlan, Pat Carey and John O'Donoghue. Mary Hanafin is likely to join them today as it is thought she will lose her seat in Dun Laoghaire.
Micheál Martin said the party would rebuild itself and be a "radical" force for change in the new Dáil.
Sinn Féin will be a large presence in the 31st Dáil.
Independents and others - especially those on the left - will also be making their voice heard, spearheaded by former Senator Shane Ross and developer Mick Wallace.
Former coalition party the Greens were wiped out with none of their sitting TDs returned.
Mr Kenny vowed not to waste any time pulling together a strong and stable government and then to force Europe’s hand on renegotiation of the €85bn IMF/EU loan deal.
“The people have made their choice. This was a democratic revolution at the ballot box,” he said.
Mr Kenny also fired a broadside at Fianna Fáil party, which has been in power for the last 14 years.
It suffered the most devastating political collapse since the early years of the State.
“I give you my guarantee that the incoming government is not going to leave the people in the dark about what is happening whether it is good or whether it is bad,” he said.
“Paddy likes to be told.”
