Sinn Féin’s political tsunami has led Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to perform a major U-turn on potential coalition talks.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been elected on the sixth count in Cork South Central with 11,505 votes, 76 over the quota.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin’s bright young hope, beamed as his cheering supporters hoisted him aboard their shoulders like a rock star after securing 14,057 votes in Cork South Central.

"After the last General Election, we did facilitate a functioning government."

Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has topped the poll in Cork South Central and has been deemed elected ahead of the Tanaiste and the leader of Fianna Fáil.

Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin has warned that any party refusing to talk to his and others to form a government will be "punished" by voters if they force a second election on the country.

Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire looks set to top the poll in Cork South Central, where Simon Coveney, Micheál Martin and Michael McGrath are also running.

Audrey's been sorting out Cork people for ages

"In doing our work, the people expect from us a sacrifice of time and sacrifice, perhaps, of personal interest."

For the first time in the history of the State, more than 30% of the candidates running in the general election are women.

Fianna Fáil members who would consider entering Government with Sinn Féin should either remove Micheál Martin as leader or else rule out such a coalition, Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer says.

Fianna Fáil members who would consider entering Government with Sinn Féin should either remove Micheál Martin as leader or else rule out such a coalition, Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer has said.

For candidates outside the established parties, Cork South-Central might be too tough an ask.

A minister for City Regions is required by the incoming Government to drive a progressive urban agenda the Cork Chamber has said in their election manifesto.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald is confident the party will defend all three seats it currently holds across Cork City and county in the upcoming general election.

The immigrant family in Cork facing in the midst of a deportation row have been told to present themselves again to immigration officials in just over a week.

Sorting out Cork people for ages

As picturesque Garryvoe basked in glorious sunshine, Leo Varadkar was certainly feeling the heat.

The Taoiseach has conceded that his party would be willing to support a Fianna Fáil-led Government under a new confidence and supply agreement.

All Fine Gael members selected to run in the next general election will gather today, adding to speculation that Leo Varadkar is preparing to go to the country.

Senators seeking to be elected to the Dáil make up nine of the top 10 places on the publicly funded Oireachtas printing facility, new figures show.

Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer has insisted he has no intention of being parachuted into the Cork north central constituency at the request of party headquarters, despite ongoing rumours about the plan.

The Green Party in Cork is to host a town hall-style public meeting under the banner of ‘End Dublin Rule in Cork’.

Tears of joy and looks of despair were in evidence as Cork’s overwhelming decision to repeal the Eighth Amendment was made official.

The extraordinary quality of political talent in Cork South Central sees it as one of the most hotly contested constituencies in the country, writes political correspondent Elaine Loughlin.

The developers of Cork’s proposed €73m events centre have again insisted work will begin on site by the end of this year, despite no agreement yet on a funding deal.

He is not a gambler, he is a mathematician. He plots three, four steps ahead. He will not risk a Theresa May calamity on the basis of two or three polls. He genuinely wants this to go on, writes Daniel McConnell

A senior Fianna Fáil TD has warned Fine Gael its actions in Government are risking early general election as backroom party officials confirmed Fianna Fáil is preparing to select candidates in key election constituencies.

The leader of Fine Gael is expected to be declared before 6pm this evening after a 16-day campaign.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney has received a double boost in terms of declared supporters for his bid to become Fine Gael leader.

In politics, you have to be committed but open minded. For Eamon Ryan, anything’s possible. The Green leader is ambitious, you could say almost politically unrestrained.

A local authority is to call on the Housing Agency to seek a solution to an issue which has seen half of one of the country’s largest commuter towns excluded from rent control legislation.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has insisted his party will run “independently” at the next election and will not be “beholden to anyone” after delegates ruled out any pre-vote pact with rivals.

Children with significant mental health disorders in Cork and Kerry face far longer waiting times to access specialist mental health teams than anywhere else in the country.

As Leo Varadkar is no doubt texting right now ‘totes awks — #embarrassing’.

Political Editor Daniel McConnell takes a look at the often forgotten names that could easily take over Fine Gael leadership.

Political Editor Daniel McConnell looks at the top three contenders to be the next Fine Gael leader.

TDs and other elected representatives across the country have given a mix of recommendations and complaints to the boundary commission ahead of proposed constituency changes this year.

What is required from Fine Gael is nerve and imagination to leave its comfort zone, writes Gerard Howlin

Housing Minister Simon Coveney has insisted his action plan for housing will be ready within 100 days, saying he is working “night and day” to address the emergency.

An unsuccessful general election candidate was jailed for five days yesterday for refusing to pay a €300 fine arising out of his conviction for failing to file a list of donations with the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo).

Several of Enda Kenny’s loyal senators lost their seats or were last night fighting for their survival.

Cork City Council finally voted last night to fill a vacant council seat after new legal advice said it was the “option of least risk”.