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Ireland general election: Irish PM admits his coalition has been rejected – live Ireland general election: Irish PM admits his coalition has been rejected – live
(35 minutes later)
9.59pm GMT
21:59
Closing Summary
• Ireland’s general election is on course to produce a hung parliament after voters punished the governing coalition after it implemented extensive austerity-led policies over the past five years in the wake of the country’s economic crash.Fine Gael, the main party in the outgoing coalition, was set to lose up to 20 seats as voters wreaked revenge on it and its junior partner, the Irish Labour Party.
• Taoiseach Enda Kenny has conceded that the option of re-forming Ireland’s coalition government of his party is no longer available.Ruling out stepping down – at least in the immediate term – he said that he had a responsibility as the head of government and would be considering options over the next 36 hours for providing a stable government for the country.
• The prospect of a “grand coalition” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael – the two ostensibly christian democratic parties which have taken turns to lead successive Irish governments since independence – appears to be on the cards.The leader of Fianna Fail, which surprised pundits by staging a recovery after voters punished it in 2011 after Ireland’s crash, said that his party would be “practical” and that it was essential to form a government that was “coherent”.
• Sinn Fein was on course to continue its march in the Republic of Ireland, with an expected increase in its representation in the parliament, the Dail, by around 50%.However, the party looked set to miss out on key targets it had set for itself in some constituencies due to the apparent reluctance of many voters to give their second preference votes to the party that was once umbilically linked to the IRA.
• The former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has said that the heavy losses now being suffered by the party are a consequence of necessary but unpopular decisions which it had to make after going into coalition five years ago.However, the results also suggested firm evidence of leftward turn on the part of record numbers of the electorate who were opting for a range of left of centre candidates.
At this stage we are going to wrap up our liveblog coverage. Thanks for reading. You’ll find updated reports on our site tonight, along with rolling coverage tomorrow and onwards of the complex negotiations to form a new government.
9.50pm GMT
21:50
Henry McDonald
So, is Fianna Fail really about to get into bed with its historic rival, Fine Gael? The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, Henry McDonald, has some possible answers:
Fianna Fail is hostile to the idea of a ‘grand coalition’ with Fine Gael because they fear handing over the lead role in the opposition to Sinn Fein.
Party sources told The Guardian tonight that they would prefer to try and form a minority government working with a range non-party aligned independent deputies in the Dail.
Two leading figures re-elected on the Fianna Fail ticket, John McGuinness and Willie O’Dea, have already ruled out breaking the Irish Civil War divide and entering government with their old rival Fine Gael.
One possible alternative to that would be either try and cobble together a minority coalition or let Fine Gael try the same according to Fianna Fail sources. They believe the party could secure up to 46 seats and be within a whisker of matching Fine Gael’s overall result.
“It would be madness to hand over the mantle of opposition to Sinn Fein, “ one Fianna Fail source said pointing to fresh successes for the party on Saturday night including their candidate Jim O’Callaghan who is on course to win a seat in Dublin Bay South.
Such an administration would probably last less than a year but would postpone the possibility of a second general election within a matter of weeks.
Overall the Fianna Fail performance has been a stunning reversal of fortunes for a party that had only 21 seats in the last Dail. Aside from the heavy Fine Gael losses, the resurrection of Fianna Fail from its worst ever showing in 2011 is the story of this election.
9.31pm GMT
21:31
Asked if he would be staying on as leader of his party at a time when many commentators suggest that the blame for its heavy defeat originates from his decision not to call an earlier election, Kenny replied:
No. I have a responsibility as Taoiseach and head of governemnt. While the results are coming in we still have a government and you are still in government unless you are voted out.
I have a responsibility as head of government to see what action needs to be taken to provide the country with a stable government in the future and I will considerer that very carefully over the next 36 hours.
Updated
at 9.33pm GMT
9.22pm GMT9.22pm GMT
21:2221:22
Kenny: Re-forming current coalition not possibleKenny: Re-forming current coalition not possible
Ben QuinnBen Quinn
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has conceded that the option of re-forming Ireland’s coalition government of his party, Fine Gael, and the Irish Labour Party, is no longer available.Taoiseach Enda Kenny has conceded that the option of re-forming Ireland’s coalition government of his party, Fine Gael, and the Irish Labour Party, is no longer available.
Speaking in the last 20 minutes from his own western constituency of Mayo, Kenny was evasive when repeatedly pressed on whether he would not consider entering into coalition with his party’s historic rival, Fianna Fail. Commentators increasingly believe that ‘Grand Coalition’ of the two is the only viable option now after a fractured election result.Speaking in the last 20 minutes from his own western constituency of Mayo, Kenny was evasive when repeatedly pressed on whether he would not consider entering into coalition with his party’s historic rival, Fianna Fail. Commentators increasingly believe that ‘Grand Coalition’ of the two is the only viable option now after a fractured election result.
“Clearly, my preference of Fine Gael and Labour cannot now be returned so obviously arising form that you have to look at all the counts …. to see what grouping and what parties are there,” he said in an interview with the Irish state broadcaster, RTE.“Clearly, my preference of Fine Gael and Labour cannot now be returned so obviously arising form that you have to look at all the counts …. to see what grouping and what parties are there,” he said in an interview with the Irish state broadcaster, RTE.
9.12pm GMT9.12pm GMT
21:1221:12
Sinn Fein now appears to be heading for its best-ever result in the Republic of Ireland, with a solid third-place finish, although it’s a performance that’s not without its disappointments for the party.Sinn Fein now appears to be heading for its best-ever result in the Republic of Ireland, with a solid third-place finish, although it’s a performance that’s not without its disappointments for the party.
In the five-seat north west constituency of Donegal, an ambitious strategy of seeking to have three members of the Dail (Parliament) elected appears to have failed. The party has been fending off suggestions that the strategy could now even backfire at the cost of one of its existing seats there.In the five-seat north west constituency of Donegal, an ambitious strategy of seeking to have three members of the Dail (Parliament) elected appears to have failed. The party has been fending off suggestions that the strategy could now even backfire at the cost of one of its existing seats there.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.15pm GMTat 9.15pm GMT
8.52pm GMT8.52pm GMT
20:5220:52
There’s intense pressure on Enda Kenny to indicate his thoughts on a possible link-up now between his party, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fail.There’s intense pressure on Enda Kenny to indicate his thoughts on a possible link-up now between his party, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fail.
This response, tweeted by UTV Ireland’s Yvonne Redmond, doesn’t exactly rule out such an outcome:This response, tweeted by UTV Ireland’s Yvonne Redmond, doesn’t exactly rule out such an outcome:
Enda Kenny on possible FF alliance - "I'm not going to comment on any options, it's far too early to say" @IrelandLiveEnda Kenny on possible FF alliance - "I'm not going to comment on any options, it's far too early to say" @IrelandLive
There’s also this:There’s also this:
Enda Kenny "has a duty and a responsibility to work with the decision the people have made, to provide a stable government"... #ge16Enda Kenny "has a duty and a responsibility to work with the decision the people have made, to provide a stable government"... #ge16
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.56pm GMTat 8.56pm GMT
8.40pm GMT8.40pm GMT
20:4020:40
Ireland’s Taoiseach and leader of the Fine Gael Party, Enda Kenny, has been re-elected in his west coast Mayo constituency.Ireland’s Taoiseach and leader of the Fine Gael Party, Enda Kenny, has been re-elected in his west coast Mayo constituency.
Kenny topped the poll with 13,318 votes, although it was down from the 17,472 first preference votes he received in 2011, a drop of over 4,000.Kenny topped the poll with 13,318 votes, although it was down from the 17,472 first preference votes he received in 2011, a drop of over 4,000.
However, he now faces major decisions. After presiding over heavy losses for his party (many believe that they would have been averted if he had called the election in November) there may be pressure on him to make way for another face..However, he now faces major decisions. After presiding over heavy losses for his party (many believe that they would have been averted if he had called the election in November) there may be pressure on him to make way for another face..
There are hints that we may be hearing from him in the next hour, perhaps to coincide with Ireland’s main evening nine o’clock news bulletin.There are hints that we may be hearing from him in the next hour, perhaps to coincide with Ireland’s main evening nine o’clock news bulletin.
A couple of different images of him arriving at the count earlier are around, including this one:A couple of different images of him arriving at the count earlier are around, including this one:
Taoiseach Enda Kenny arriving at the count centre in Castlebar #GE16 pic.twitter.com/anQN0Gq9cKTaoiseach Enda Kenny arriving at the count centre in Castlebar #GE16 pic.twitter.com/anQN0Gq9cK
.. and a close-up.. and a close-up
Enda Kenny seen arriving at the Mayo count #GE16 pic.twitter.com/QIVPNOqOR6Enda Kenny seen arriving at the Mayo count #GE16 pic.twitter.com/QIVPNOqOR6
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.45pm GMTat 8.45pm GMT
8.34pm GMT8.34pm GMT
20:3420:34
In other sub-plots, Ireland continues to be a cold place for the Far Right.In other sub-plots, Ireland continues to be a cold place for the Far Right.
A candidate from an anti-immigrant group calling itself Identity Ireland, who has been involved in launching an Irish offshoot of the Pegida movement, got less than 200 first preference votesA candidate from an anti-immigrant group calling itself Identity Ireland, who has been involved in launching an Irish offshoot of the Pegida movement, got less than 200 first preference votes
Identity Ireland polled really badly in Irish elections. They're the Irish fascists who call themselves PegidaIdentity Ireland polled really badly in Irish elections. They're the Irish fascists who call themselves Pegida
8.27pm GMT8.27pm GMT
20:2720:27
As well as Fianna Fail’s own recovery, Ireland’s Green Party has been staging a mini comeback.As well as Fianna Fail’s own recovery, Ireland’s Green Party has been staging a mini comeback.
After losing all its TDs in 2011, when it took a major hit as the junior partners in the government which was led by Fianna Fail, its deputy leader Catherine Martin has now been elected in the constituency of Dublin Rathdown.After losing all its TDs in 2011, when it took a major hit as the junior partners in the government which was led by Fianna Fail, its deputy leader Catherine Martin has now been elected in the constituency of Dublin Rathdown.
First Green TD elected at #GE16 - good news for #Ireland's anti-#fracking campaign, as Greens 100% opposed! https://t.co/b8W2vbwpcSFirst Green TD elected at #GE16 - good news for #Ireland's anti-#fracking campaign, as Greens 100% opposed! https://t.co/b8W2vbwpcS
8.21pm GMT8.21pm GMT
20:2120:21
An interesting figure in the crowd at the counting centre for Dublin constituencies - the British ambassador.An interesting figure in the crowd at the counting centre for Dublin constituencies - the British ambassador.
Increasingly, it appears that the British government has lost perhaps its closest ally in the European Union, Taoiseach Enda Kenny.Increasingly, it appears that the British government has lost perhaps its closest ally in the European Union, Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
British ambassador Dominick Chilcott listens to Dublin Bay South first round results at Dublin Count Centre. #Ge16 pic.twitter.com/0KNT62vBjaBritish ambassador Dominick Chilcott listens to Dublin Bay South first round results at Dublin Count Centre. #Ge16 pic.twitter.com/0KNT62vBja
8.17pm GMT8.17pm GMT
20:1720:17
Ireland’s health minister has strongly hinted that the best course of action for his party, Fine Gael, may now to go into opposition:Ireland’s health minister has strongly hinted that the best course of action for his party, Fine Gael, may now to go into opposition:
Leo Varadkar told RTE, the state broadcaster, that the coalition’s larger partner may not even end up as the largest party in the country. If so, that spot would likely be taken by Fianna Fail, which has undertaken an extraordinary comeback after five years in the political wilderness.Leo Varadkar told RTE, the state broadcaster, that the coalition’s larger partner may not even end up as the largest party in the country. If so, that spot would likely be taken by Fianna Fail, which has undertaken an extraordinary comeback after five years in the political wilderness.
He said:He said:
It’s going to be difficult to form a government. It’s not entirely clear if Fine Gael will emerge as the largest party in terms of seats.... I don’t necessarily think that the obligation to form a government falls on us.It’s going to be difficult to form a government. It’s not entirely clear if Fine Gael will emerge as the largest party in terms of seats.... I don’t necessarily think that the obligation to form a government falls on us.
Asked if Fine Gael should now be prepared to think the previously unthinkable – going into coalition with its historic rival, Fianna Fail – he replied:Asked if Fine Gael should now be prepared to think the previously unthinkable – going into coalition with its historic rival, Fianna Fail – he replied:
What happens now is that we have to count the votes and see what the possibilities are.What happens now is that we have to count the votes and see what the possibilities are.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.18pm GMTat 8.18pm GMT
8.11pm GMT8.11pm GMT
20:1120:11
Ireland’s governing coalition has suffered perhaps its biggest casualy of the day so far now, with the loss of the seat held by Fine Gael MP Alan Shatter, the former Justice Minister.Ireland’s governing coalition has suffered perhaps its biggest casualy of the day so far now, with the loss of the seat held by Fine Gael MP Alan Shatter, the former Justice Minister.
The Guardian’s Henry McDonald reports:The Guardian’s Henry McDonald reports:
The Irish headline writers will no doubt be using the word SHATTERED when referring the loss of a Fine Gael seat in one of its most prosperous redoubts - Dublin Rathdown.The Irish headline writers will no doubt be using the word SHATTERED when referring the loss of a Fine Gael seat in one of its most prosperous redoubts - Dublin Rathdown.
They will be referring of course to Alan Shatter, former Fine Gael Justice Minister for a time in the last government, who has lost his seat in the constituency.They will be referring of course to Alan Shatter, former Fine Gael Justice Minister for a time in the last government, who has lost his seat in the constituency.
If there was ever an iconic loss in this very bad election for Fine Gael it is the failure of Shatter to get re-elected to the Dail. He lost his seat to the Green Party which is heading back to the Dail having reduced to zero seats in the 2011 election.If there was ever an iconic loss in this very bad election for Fine Gael it is the failure of Shatter to get re-elected to the Dail. He lost his seat to the Green Party which is heading back to the Dail having reduced to zero seats in the 2011 election.
7.38pm GMT7.38pm GMT
19:3819:38
The Irish Taoiseach’s closest adviser has said Ireland would have to review its “political system” once the outcome of its most uncertain election in recent times is decided.The Irish Taoiseach’s closest adviser has said Ireland would have to review its “political system” once the outcome of its most uncertain election in recent times is decided.
Admitting that the chance of another general election was “now very, very high,” Mark Mortell said:Admitting that the chance of another general election was “now very, very high,” Mark Mortell said:
The only word I can use right now is deep disappointment.The only word I can use right now is deep disappointment.
Asked about the prospect of an historic grand coalition between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael , he told the Press Association:Asked about the prospect of an historic grand coalition between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael , he told the Press Association:
We’re each going to have to consider the situation and we’re going to have to talk to the Labour Party too.We’re each going to have to consider the situation and we’re going to have to talk to the Labour Party too.
What you’ve got here is an extraordinary situation. It is a massive fracturing of the political system.What you’ve got here is an extraordinary situation. It is a massive fracturing of the political system.
It creates immediately a huge amount of volatility and if you look just across into Europe, and what’s happened in Spain and Portugal, this does mean we’re going to have a very, very interesting couple of weeks ahead of us and very, very demanding ones.It creates immediately a huge amount of volatility and if you look just across into Europe, and what’s happened in Spain and Portugal, this does mean we’re going to have a very, very interesting couple of weeks ahead of us and very, very demanding ones.
7.31pm GMT7.31pm GMT
19:3119:31
Philip OltermannPhilip Oltermann
Amid talk of an Irish “grand coalition” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, here’s some insight into the practice in Germany, where such arrangements are nothing new. Philip Oltermann, the Guardian’s Berlin Bureay Chief, writes:Amid talk of an Irish “grand coalition” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, here’s some insight into the practice in Germany, where such arrangements are nothing new. Philip Oltermann, the Guardian’s Berlin Bureay Chief, writes:
There have been three grosse Koalitionen between the conservative Christian Democrats and centre-left Social Democrats at national level: 1966-1999, 2005-2009, and the current government, led by Angela Merkel, with the SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel as her deputy.There have been three grosse Koalitionen between the conservative Christian Democrats and centre-left Social Democrats at national level: 1966-1999, 2005-2009, and the current government, led by Angela Merkel, with the SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel as her deputy.
The problems with this kind of arrangement may be more apparent than the advantages: with a broad political consensus in the political centre, parliamentary debate is often stifled, opposition made toothless.The problems with this kind of arrangement may be more apparent than the advantages: with a broad political consensus in the political centre, parliamentary debate is often stifled, opposition made toothless.
In Germany, this is particularly problematic for the left, which often has a mathematical majority of votes shared between the SPD, the Left Party and the Greens, but cannot make that majority count since the Social Democrats are hamstrung by their coalition treaty with the CDU.In Germany, this is particularly problematic for the left, which often has a mathematical majority of votes shared between the SPD, the Left Party and the Greens, but cannot make that majority count since the Social Democrats are hamstrung by their coalition treaty with the CDU.
The legalisation of gay marriage, effectively put on hold via the two parties’ coalition agreement, is just one area where a “grand coalition” can result in political stasis.The legalisation of gay marriage, effectively put on hold via the two parties’ coalition agreement, is just one area where a “grand coalition” can result in political stasis.
Yet at times of global turmoil grand coalitions can also be popular. After the 2013 general election in Germany, a sizeable majority in the polls said a coalition between the SPD and the CDU was their favourable outcome, and until the refugee crisis knocked the government’s boat in the last few months, ratings for the two governing parties were remarkably stable.Yet at times of global turmoil grand coalitions can also be popular. After the 2013 general election in Germany, a sizeable majority in the polls said a coalition between the SPD and the CDU was their favourable outcome, and until the refugee crisis knocked the government’s boat in the last few months, ratings for the two governing parties were remarkably stable.