The Labour Party is in complete disarray this evening, and the former junior coalition cabinet members are clinging on to hope that Willie Penrose wins his seat in Longford/Westmeath after Aodhán O’Ríordáin lost his seat in Dublin Bay North earlier this afternoon.
The crumbling party are relying on votes elsewhere and particularly on Penrose in order to hold onto speaking rights within the Dáil. The party only look set to retain a mere 6 seats in parliament this week. The dismal showing by the party in the election has prompted outgoing Minister O’Ríordáin to state that Ireland needs his party.
Speaking after his crushing result Mr O’Ríordáin said: “The tide was out” for his party. “We took on challenges that were not popular – things like drug reform, Traveller rights, working to try and change the direct provision system. I wouldn’t spend any less time on those things if I did it again.”
Mr O’Ríordáin added: “Today is the first day of the comeback. Ireland needs the Labour Party and our value system. “I absolutely believe we will recover from this and we will have better days again.”