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Irish election: Enda Kenny says Fine Gael-Labour coalition will not return to office Irish election: Enda Kenny says Fine Gael-Labour coalition will not return to office
(35 minutes later)
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny has conceded that the existing Fine Gael-Labour coalition government will not be returned in the Republic of Ireland general election.Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny has conceded that the existing Fine Gael-Labour coalition government will not be returned in the Republic of Ireland general election.
It is likely Fine Gael will remain the largest party, but with a narrow lead over the main opposition, Fianna Fáil.It is likely Fine Gael will remain the largest party, but with a narrow lead over the main opposition, Fianna Fáil.
Just over a quarter of the seats for the Dáil (Irish parliament) have been filled. Just over a third of the seats for the Dáil (Irish parliament) have been filled.
Polls show Sinn Féin, smaller parties and Independents are also doing well.Polls show Sinn Féin, smaller parties and Independents are also doing well.
Mr Kenny has been re-elected in Mayo but he said it was clear the existing government would not regain power. Mr Kenny, Labour Party leader Joan Burton and Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald have all retained their seats.
However, Fine Gael's former justice minister Alan Shatter and Alex White, the Labour Party's communications minister, have not been returned to parliament.
Mr Kenny said the voting showed that the existing government will not regain power.
"This is a disappointment for the Fine Gael party," he said. "Obviously whether you can argue about the people's decision, you cannot argue with it."This is a disappointment for the Fine Gael party," he said. "Obviously whether you can argue about the people's decision, you cannot argue with it.
"So clearly, the government of Fine Gael and Labour are not going to be returned to office.""So clearly, the government of Fine Gael and Labour are not going to be returned to office."
He added that the "majority government option is gone" but he will wait for the full results and consider options on how to form a government "very carefully".He added that the "majority government option is gone" but he will wait for the full results and consider options on how to form a government "very carefully".
"Clearly the country needs a government and must have one," he said."Clearly the country needs a government and must have one," he said.
Many believe the expected result could make negotiations on forming a new government extremely difficult.
The final outcome of many seats will depend on transfers in later counts.
Tánaiste (deputy prime minster) Joan Burton, the Labour Party leader, has retained her seat in Dublin West after the fifth count.
Among the other notable candidates elected so far are Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald as well as Fine Gael ministers Frances Fitzgerald, Charlie Flanagan and Leo Varadkar.
However, Fine Gael's former justice minister Alan Shatter and Alex White, the Labour Party's communications minister, have lost their seats.
Eoin Ó Broin was the first Sinn Féin candidate to be elected, after being returned on the first count in Dublin Mid-West.
Mr Ó Broin is a former party councillor in Belfast.
Joan Burton said she was "very, very disappointed" that many Labour Party candidates would not be elected to parliament.Joan Burton said she was "very, very disappointed" that many Labour Party candidates would not be elected to parliament.
"All I can say is that the Labour Party is at the fight for justice and social justice in Ireland and we will continue that fight in the next Dáil, even if our numbers are diminished.""All I can say is that the Labour Party is at the fight for justice and social justice in Ireland and we will continue that fight in the next Dáil, even if our numbers are diminished."
When asked about how a government will be formed, she said that all parliamentary members would have to "work to do whatever is best for the people of our country".When asked about how a government will be formed, she said that all parliamentary members would have to "work to do whatever is best for the people of our country".
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin described the election as an "extraordinary vote" and said he was "very pleased".Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin described the election as an "extraordinary vote" and said he was "very pleased".
Successful
"A lot will depend on the destination of the last seats in many constituencies, it's a bit too early to be definitive, but it's clear we're going to have a good day," he said."A lot will depend on the destination of the last seats in many constituencies, it's a bit too early to be definitive, but it's clear we're going to have a good day," he said.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald said that she expects the party will be putting leader Gerry Adams forward to be the next taoiseach.Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald said that she expects the party will be putting leader Gerry Adams forward to be the next taoiseach.
"It's early in the day but I think if this election demonstrates anything, it is that there is now, or should be, no sense from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that they have some divine right to govern - they don't," she said. "It's early in the day but I think if this election demonstrates anything, it is that there is now, or should be, no sense from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that they have some divine right to govern - they don't," she said
Her party colleague Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, said it had been a hugely successful election for Sinn Féin. Hung parliament
"My sense is that a government will be formed, I don't think there will be a second election within weeks. How stable a government, that remains to be seen," he said. Many believe the expected result could make negotiations on forming a new government extremely difficult.
'Tough decisions'
Fine Gael's Frances Fitzgerald said it was a "difficult day" for her party but defended the record of Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
"We took very difficult decisions, and the taoiseach took over at a difficult time," she said.
"We have had to take tough decisions and that is reflected on the doorsteps.
"He has done an amazing job. I expect when we come back, the big job is to form stable government.
"I expect that's what the taoiseach will be trying to do on 10 March."
Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil had indicated that they would not go into coalition with each other.Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil had indicated that they would not go into coalition with each other.
However, pressure is expected to mount on them to come to some form of arrangement that may take several weeks to arrive at.However, pressure is expected to mount on them to come to some form of arrangement that may take several weeks to arrive at.
An exit poll commissioned by the Irish Times suggested Fine Gael will remain the largest party with 26%, with Fianna Fáil close behind on 23%.
A poll from Irish broadcaster RTÉ on Saturday morning indicated broadly similar results.
Hung parliament
If borne out by the count, the vote shares would result in a hung Dáil (parliament), but with Fine Gael still taking the largest number of seats.If borne out by the count, the vote shares would result in a hung Dáil (parliament), but with Fine Gael still taking the largest number of seats.
Over three million people were entitled to vote in Friday's poll, that will return 157 members of parliament, known as TDs. The ceann comhairle (speaker) is automatically returned.Over three million people were entitled to vote in Friday's poll, that will return 157 members of parliament, known as TDs. The ceann comhairle (speaker) is automatically returned.
Although the election count is a long and gruelling process, there have been some lighter moments including a silver eternity ring that was found in a ballot box and one voter who gave his number one to UFC champion Conor McGregor.Although the election count is a long and gruelling process, there have been some lighter moments including a silver eternity ring that was found in a ballot box and one voter who gave his number one to UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Meanwhile, one person swapped the Oscars in Hollywood for a count centre in County Cavan in order to support a politician.Meanwhile, one person swapped the Oscars in Hollywood for a count centre in County Cavan in order to support a politician.
Eamon Farrell, the brother of Colin Farrell, had a ticket for the star-studded ceremony but decided instead to travel to the count centre in order to show his backing for Arts Minister Heather Humphries. Eamon Farrell, the brother of actor Colin Farrell, had a ticket for the star-studded ceremony but decided instead to travel to the count centre in order to show his backing for Arts Minister Heather Humphries.
The campaign was fought mainly over economic issues, with the government parties asking voters for their support to keep the recovery going at a time when international storm clouds are gathering. The election campaign was fought mainly over economic issues, with the government parties asking voters for their support to keep the recovery going at a time when international storm clouds are gathering.
But the opposition parties countered that not everyone, especially outside of middle-class Dublin, is yet benefiting from the up-turn.But the opposition parties countered that not everyone, especially outside of middle-class Dublin, is yet benefiting from the up-turn.
The Republic of Ireland has had the biggest growing economy in the eurozone for the last two years.The Republic of Ireland has had the biggest growing economy in the eurozone for the last two years.
TDs will be elected according to the single transferable vote (STV) system, in which candidates have to reach a quota, before their surplus votes are distributed to others.TDs will be elected according to the single transferable vote (STV) system, in which candidates have to reach a quota, before their surplus votes are distributed to others.