Irish Election - Coverage of Irish Politics, News and Current Affairs

In news that removes one minor headache for the Government, Beverly Flynn (artist’s rendition) announced in Castlebar last night that she has settled her debts to RTE arising from her libel action against them. RTE won’t comment, presumably because the matter has not yet been finalised by a court. But having rejected an earlier offer [...]

When Bertie Ahern made overtures to the effect that Beverly Flynn could be in line for a junior ministry position, some on this site pointed out how unfair many of the less infamous FF back-benchers might find the whole situation.
Now it looks like Fianna Fáil’s own man in Mayo, Dara Callarey, is trying to pour [...]

She will vote in favour of Bertie Ahern this afternoon after reaching agreement this morning. No comment on whether she will return to Fianna Fail, though Noel Whelan on RTE thinks she will.
Bertie now has 78 (FF)+ 2 (PD) + 6 (green) +4 (Ind)  = 90

Following their Ard Chomhairle meeting today, below the fold. Bottom line: assuming they can find someone will to take their support in government, health would be the only dealbreaker. In particular, no Mary Harney. Also interesting is that the statement was issued by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, indicating perhaps an awareness of [...]

We are looking at the seats that the opposition did not take that could have won them the election. We already have 2 here  what follows is the next 2 and the result

It bears reminding that the Mahon tribunal resumes tomorrow. Examine the witness list for a sense of the potential landmines lurking within this evidence. Even if one takes the view that the 42 percent FF vote didn’t care about the underlying issues, other voters care and so do potential coalition partners. So [...]

So the votes have been counted. The Irish people have opted for a continuation of a third-world hospital system, schooling characterised by inequality and class over-crowding, and the perpetuation of a “cute hoor” culture with significant levels of background corruption and the protection of criminality and illegality so long as the perpetrators are party members, [...]

Fahy (FF) and Grealish (PD) elected.

2. Higgins            8,384
3. Fahey              7,234
4. McCormack      7,068
5. Grealish           7,065
6. Crowe              6,117
7. Ó Brolchain      4,332
Ó Brolchain eliminated - 10th Count is distribution of his votes

Ulick Burke in on Paul Connaughton’s surplus.

John O’Mahony and Beverly Flynn elected. FG 3, FF1, FF Gene Pool Independent waiting on a phone call 1

Jim McDaid returns from retirement (remember that?) and is joined by the man who brought him out of retirement, Niall Blaney.
Update - McDaid says tension between himself and Blaney made it work - says if he had not come back FF would not have held seat.

As Mick notes in the comments here, we have three siblings to join the brother-in-law/sister-in-law, husband/wife combinations elected to Dáil Eireann. Tom Kitt, Michael Kitt and Aine Brady (nee Kitt) are all elected to the 30th Dáil.

From a contributor, if Keaveny goes as fifth from top her transfers are forecast to carry MacLoughlinn and Blaney over the line for seats 2 and 3

From a commenter
First count in Donegal NE
Blaney, Niall   6288
Doherty, Mary   339
Gallagher, Frank        520
Harte, Jimmy    1313
Keaveney, Cecilia       6362
MacLochlainn, Padraig   6733
McDaid, James   6724
McGarvey, Ian   766
McGuinness, Arthur      86
McHugh, Joe     8711
McLaughlin, Siobhan     703
Turnout 38,921
Valid Poll
Quota   9637
Turnout 68%
McGuinness & Doherty to [...]

Eamon O’Cuiv Elected on first count current top 6
O’Cuiv (FF)
Fahey (FF)
Michael D (lab)
Grealish (PD)
P McCorrmick (FG)
Crowe (FF)
Mayo top 6
E Kenny (FG)
M Ring (FG)
Calleary (FF)
Mahoney (FG)
B Flynn (Ind)
J Carty (FF)
Dublin North Central
Richard Burton Elected on first count
Haughey will take seat 2.