First count a good guide to election winners

ON analysis of the election results a very interesting fact becomes apparent.

In 11 of the three-seaters, seven of the four-seaters and nine of the five-seaters those with the highest vote in descending order after the first count for the first three, four and five seats respectively were in fact those who were eventually elected.

That is 27 out of 43 constituencies (63%).

If Bertie Ahern wants to have a quicker outcome, perhaps we should just go for the first poll results.

It would of course exclude his running mate Cyprian Brady — the first FF candidate to do such a Lazarus-like rising since a running mate of de Valera’s in 1923.

Another factor which seems to have been overlooked in all the analysis of the results is the part played by Charlie McCreevy — surely the maturing of the SSIAs at such an appropriate time was an influential factor.

Edward Lynch

The Mall

Lismore

Co Waterford