Fine Gael on course for Government

More than a quarter of the seats for the 31st Dáil have now been filled and Fine Gael is still holding out to lead a single-party Government.

Enda Kenny will not make an overall majority, but a handful of final seats could decide whether he needs Labour or can try and cut a deal with Independents.

So far, 46 of the 166 seats are filled - 20 for Fine Gael, 12 for Labour, 3 Fianna Fáil, 4 Sinn Féin, 1 Socialist and 6 Independents.

The first evidence of the Gilmore Gale came in Dublin when just before 3pm, Labour Joan Burton became the first member to be elected to the Dáil.

She has been followed by party leader Eamon Gilmore, a raft of familar names like Pat Rabbitte and Rosin Shortall, and new faces like Brendan Ryan and Robert Dowds.

The party will finish in second place and have its best electoral performance in history.

Enda Kenny has been elected in Mayo, followed by Michael Ring and the party should take two of the remaining three there.

An overall majority it seems is not in sight for Fine Gael, but many in the party remain convinced the final seat numbers could see a Government formed without Labour.

Fianna Fáil is in meltdown - the party could have just 22 or 23 seats - and just one in the capital in outgoing Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

Some political dynasties come to an end - the names Haughey, Andrews, Hanafin amnd possibly even Coughlan will be gone.

Sinn Féin looks set to at least double its seats, while Independents and others, especially those on the left, are having a good day.

In Dublin South Shane Ross topped the poll, as did Mick Wallace in Wexford, and Joe Higgins and Catherine Murphy make returns to the Dáil.

But the Greens will be wiped out since none of the party's outgoing TDs or candidates will make the cut.