Past performance: Fianna Fáil history of coalition

Two full ministries for the Greens would be in line with previous Fianna Fáil-led coalitions.

Fianna Fáil first went into coalition in 1989. Having won just 77 seats in the election, it needed the support of the six Progressive Democrats to form a majority. In return, the PDs got two senior portfolios, Des O’Malley being appointed Minister for Industry and Commerce and Bobby Molloy Minister for Energy.

In terms of numbers, that government most resembled the arrangement that the Greens have agreed with Fianna Fáil.

In 1997, Fianna Fáil entered coalition with the PDs, but the numbers were slightly different. While Fianna Fáil had 77 seats, the PDs had just four, and the coalition relied on the support of a number of Independent TDs to make up the Dáil majority. Because of the PDs’ smaller presence, they received only one full portfolio, Mary Harney becoming Enterprise Minister. She was appointed Tánaiste, while Mr Molloy got a “super-junior” ministry.

In the 2002 election, Fianna Fáil won 81 seats and the PDs eight, and the two parties resumed their coalition. Ms Harney remained Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister. Michael McDowell became Justice Minister, Tom Parlon was given a junior ministry at the Department of Finance, and Tim O’Malley was appointed a junior minister at the Department of Health.

Fianna Fáil did enter coalition with Labour in 1992, but that arrangement is not comparable with the Greens’ situation, given that Labour won 33 seats.