Ahern and Harney set for partnership

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, confirmed in power by this week’s sweeping general election gains, was today poised for talks about forming a new coalition Government.

Left tantalisingly short of the country's first overall single-party parliamentary majority in a quarter of a century - possibly by as narrow a margin of just one seat - by Friday’s poll, Mr Ahern will have to find a partner in power.