The way is clear for a general election. But when?

Miracles can happen. A week ago, we were told that it would take 28 working days to resolve the recount in Nemo Rangers to decide the last two seats in Ireland South. The recount, understandably called by Sinn Féin’s Liadh Ní Riada, was to see if she could make up the 327 votes that Green Party senator Grace O’Sullivan held in her favour.

None of the MEPs elected in Ireland South would have been able to take their seats in the European Parliament until the ticket was concluded. After the weekend, the miracle became clear. Martin Harvey, the returning officer, reduced the 28 days to five: His warning of a €1m cost and the time delay convinced Sinn Féin and the powers that be that such a scenario was not acceptable.