This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6694483.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ahern on course for third term | Ahern on course for third term |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Bertie Ahern looks on course to secure a third term as taoiseach after a strong performance by Fianna Fail in the Republic's general elections. | Bertie Ahern looks on course to secure a third term as taoiseach after a strong performance by Fianna Fail in the Republic's general elections. |
| The party is likely to be just short of an overall majority when counting of votes in the general election finishes. | The party is likely to be just short of an overall majority when counting of votes in the general election finishes. |
| Its coalition partner, the Progressive Democrats, lost three quarters of its seats, including Tanaiste Michael McDowell, who has now quit politics. | Its coalition partner, the Progressive Democrats, lost three quarters of its seats, including Tanaiste Michael McDowell, who has now quit politics. |
| Sinn Fein also failed to make predicted gains, and has lost at least one seat. | Sinn Fein also failed to make predicted gains, and has lost at least one seat. |
| So far the breakdown of seats is: Fianna Fail 72; Fine Gael 45; Labour 17; PDs 1; Green Party 5; Sinn Fein 3 and Others 5. | |
| The Fianna Fail-led coalition has 44.2% of the vote, against 36.2% for Fine Gael's centre-left alliance. | The Fianna Fail-led coalition has 44.2% of the vote, against 36.2% for Fine Gael's centre-left alliance. |
| The Republic of Ireland's system of proportional representation means that parties' representation in the 165-seat Dail (lower house of parliament) closely matches their percentage of the vote. | The Republic of Ireland's system of proportional representation means that parties' representation in the 165-seat Dail (lower house of parliament) closely matches their percentage of the vote. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY After 10 years, Bertie's team could do with a change. Our public services need more attention Micheál, Cork, Ireland Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY After 10 years, Bertie's team could do with a change. Our public services need more attention Micheál, Cork, Ireland Send us your comments |
| Fianna Fail party would need 83 seats to form a majority government, but it is likely it will need to form a coalition government as has been in recent years in the Republic. | Fianna Fail party would need 83 seats to form a majority government, but it is likely it will need to form a coalition government as has been in recent years in the Republic. |
| On Friday, Mr Ahern hailed his party's performance: "There are very few parties anywhere in Europe who could have achieved what Fianna Fail did today. | On Friday, Mr Ahern hailed his party's performance: "There are very few parties anywhere in Europe who could have achieved what Fianna Fail did today. |
| "For that I am just hugely proud as the president of the Fianna Fail organisation." | "For that I am just hugely proud as the president of the Fianna Fail organisation." |
| The taoiseach has led a coalition government since 1997 - a period of sustained economic growth for the Republic. | The taoiseach has led a coalition government since 1997 - a period of sustained economic growth for the Republic. |
| Enda Kenny, leader of the opposition Fine Gael party, refused to concede defeat on Friday night. | Enda Kenny, leader of the opposition Fine Gael party, refused to concede defeat on Friday night. |
| His party also put in strong performance, gaining about 20 seats | His party also put in strong performance, gaining about 20 seats |