It has been almost three weeks since the election, and in that period we have been subjected to prolonged theatrical shadow boxing by our politicians, with many of them acting like spoiled overgrown school children so as to gain political advantage at our expense.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has said it is too “premature” to start talking about his party negotiating a government option with Fianna Fáil, as talks continue with other TDs this week.

AS THE dust settles, two options for the next government can be seen galloping in from the horizon, writes Michael Clifford

Ireland will celebrate the centenary of its Easter Rising, which led to independence from British rule, without a government, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has forecast.

WE have witnessed a political revolution. It is another seismic shift in Irish politics that reflects our changing society and views, suggests Rory Hearne.

This general election paid too much attention to focus groups and polls which allowed the media people to pontificate instead of finding real news, writes Terry Prone.

ANYONE who suggested last week that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would be, more or less, on equal terms after most votes had been counted would have been dismissed as delusional. 

Junior Minister Simon Harris has said the newly elected TDs must now act 'like grown ups'.

Ireland decides: Follow all the #GE16 action as it unfolds across the country

Enda Kenny was out bright and early this morning to cast his vote in the election.

This week, a number of prominent business people intervened in the election campaign by suggesting that voters should be careful about what they vote for today.

The good news for self-employed business owners now that polling day has arrived is that all parties have committed to addressing the imbalance between PAYE and non-PAYE workers with Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Renua adopting the strongest stances.

Number of seats: Five. Electorate: 99,530 as of last election

Latest: The Taoiseach was put under pressure on Fine Gael's tax plans, which moderator Miriam O'Callaghan said would give greater benefits to higher earners.

Labour has put pressure on Fine Gael to have the process of a referendum on the Eighth Amendment “well under way” by the summer.

The Archbishop of Dublin has warned parties against engaging in “auction politics” simply to win votes.

Fianna Fáil has launched proposals to reduce traffic congestion, make public transport more affordable and improve planning for commuters.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has branded a €1.24bn shortfall in the costings in Fianna Fáil’s election manifesto as the party’s “black hole of Calcutta”

The population of this constituency has, like many other commuter belt areas, increased in recent years.

James Heffernan has a formidable election team at his home base, writes Mid-West Correspondent Jimmy Woulfe

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has insisted his health was not the reason he missed a key eurozone meeting of finance ministers.

Here's how #GE16 played out on Twitter on Wednesday. 

The day began with Enda Kenny seeking to deflect the latest bad news for Fine Gael in the opinion polls, which show the party down five points in 10 days.

For the workers in boiler suits who stood listening there was nothing new to hear.

Government ministers have had to break off their election campaign to attend a hastily arranged cabinet meeting to discuss the Brexit deal.