FG's McCormack elected in Galway West

Padraig McCormack of Fine Gael has been elected in Galway West leaving 12 seats to be decided in five constituencies.

As the final bundles of votes are counted around the country, attention is now turning towards the formation of the next government.

Fine Gael's Enda Kenny is refusing to concede defeat and is not ruling out an alliance with Labour, the Greens and independents.

But if the predictions on the final figures become reality, Fianna Fáil will end up with 78 seats. Fine Gael will get 51, Labour 20 or 21, the Greens six; Sinn Féin three or fourt, the PDs two and the Independents five.

This final tally of figures opens up a number of potential combinations in order to make up the 83 seats required for a majority in the next Dail.

That means Fianna Fáil could form a Government with the support of two PDs, two Independents and the expected support of the Ceann Comhairle, who in this case is Fianna Fáil TD Rory O'Hanlon.

Alternatively Fianna Fáil could simply line up with Labour where the combined total of seats would be 98 or 99.

On the other hand Fianna Fáil could enter government with the six Green Party deputies, bringing the total to 84.

With 12 seats still to be filled in five constituencies: Fianna Fáil has 73, Fine Gael 47, Labour 20, PDs 1, Green Party 5, Sinn Féin 3 and Others 5.