Labour Number 1 in Dublin West

Dublin West saw a swing back to Labour following a disappointing showing in 1997.

Labour’s Joan Burton will join Fianna Fail’s Brian Lenihan and Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party in the new Dail.

Brian Lenihan says his victory shows a swing to Fianna Fail. "There is a very solid Fianna Fail vote. I know the other seats went to Joe Higgins and Joan Burton, but we never had high expectations here."

He said: "We put in a tremendous fight, we've clearly increased our vote substantially, and if this is the result in Dublin West, there's a substantial swing to Fianna Fail throughout Dublin."