Daniel McConnell: Popularity alone not enough for Sinn Féin to form a government

McDonald and Co need to show just where a viable and stable alternative coalition can be formed

Mary Lou McDonald in her office at Leinster House. The Sinn Féin leader could become the first female Taoiseach. Picture: Moya Nolan

Sinn Féin is the most popular party in the country.

It has consistently held that mantle for quite a while now, and at several points this year its support has outstripped the combined public backing for the other two main parties — Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.