Fine Gael gains come at expense of Labour seats

FINE GAEL’S seat surge saw them within striking distance of their 50-TD target — but the gains came at the expense of Labour and the smaller parties, not Fianna Fáil.

Enda Kenny’s position as leader was secured by the strong showing, despite his failure to become Taoiseach.

The 4% swing takes the party back to its position after defeat in the 1997 election, before the devastation of the 2002 rout.