It is probable that Fianna Fáil will retake its position as the largest party after the general election in 2024, since seats are filling up quickly, reports RTE.
With gains in a number of areas still up for grabs, party strategists are now aiming for up to 48 seats.
The party was somewhat disappointed, nevertheless, since young candidate Albert Dolan unexpectedly won the seat in Galway East on his 26th birthday, replacing junior minister Anne Rabbitte, reports RTE.
With 21.9% of the vote, Fianna Fáil had the largest first preference vote share among the top three parties. Sinn Féin came in at 19%, and Fine Gael came in second with 20.8%.
According to Micheál Martin, the head of Fianna Fáil, he is “wary and cautious” about filling the remaining seats.
Speaking at the count centre at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork, he said: “I’ll do my own reflections, think about it. I need a long walk – from an exercise point of view – but also to clear the head and think this one through. There’s very serious challenges facing the country and we’ve got to keep the country right and put the people before ourselves and before parties,” reports RTE.
When asked about the level of trust between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, he responded, “I believe there is potential for cooperation.”
His party is projected to secure two seats in Kerry, Donegal, and Clare, where Timmy Dooley has made a notable comeback.
Sinn Féin is expected to achieve around 40 seats, with Rose Conway-Walsh having been elected this morning in Mayo after the counts resumed, reports RTE.
In an interview with RTÉ Radio, Ms. Conway-Walsh expressed her happiness at being re-elected and making history as the first woman to lead the poll in Mayo.
She acknowledged that winning two seats in the constituency would always be challenging and expressed gratitude to her running mate, Gerry Murray, who has now been eliminated.
Sinn Féin’s candidate Mairead Farrell became the first woman to lead the poll in Galway West, reports RTE.
Fine Gael faces mixed results, likely landing in third place with anticipated seat losses in Donegal and Kerry.
The Social Democrats have enjoyed a positive week, with their candidate Eoin Hayes in a tight race against Sinn Féin’s Chris Andrews for the fourth seat in Dublin Bay South.
Gary Gannon has successfully retained his seat in Dublin Central, alongside Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe, who was elected after the tenth count, reports RTE.
The fourth seat was secured by Labour’s Marie Sherlock following the distribution of Mr. Donohoe’s surplus, which ended Independent Gerard Hutch’s campaign for a Dáil seat.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik was re-elected this morning in Dublin Bay South and stated that her party’s focus is to establish a platform “on the left” before discussing a potential coalition with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for government formation, reports RTE.
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