IT WAS all about waiting for Bruton in the Navan count centre. "Waiting for Johnno is like waiting for Godot," said the Fianna Fail supporters who repeatedly remarked on the non arrival of the Taoiseach throughout the day.
Mr Bruton was elected on the first count with a huge personal vote of 13,037, his highest ever. The last time he did so well was after the 1982 budget when he reduced VAT on furniture, which proved hugely popular in Navan.
When his election was announced on Saturday, the cheers and applause of supporters rang a little hollow without the presence of the winning candidate.
Word came through from Fine Gael handlers that the Taoiseach was staying at home in Dunboyne. He issued a statement at 9.30 p.m.
saying he would be making no further comment until the outlook was clearer, but about 10 p.m. he changed his mind. He brought his children Matthew (14) and Juliana (13) to the Exhibition Centre in Navan, arriving at just before 11.30 p.m.
In very good form, he swept through the hall receiving the congratulations of the party faithful. He said that while they had been waiting for him, he was at the driving range with Matthew. He said it was too early to speculate on the final composition of the Dail, but he believed many governments in the past had depended on the support of Independents, citing governments led by Sean Lemass. The Rainbow Coalition, he said, had shown how to work a partnership government.
He said he was disappointed by some of the Labour Party losses, singling out Niamh Bhreathnach.
The Progressive Democrats, he said, had "associated themselves with a party that did not do them any good". Mr Bruton seemed a little thrown when asked if he had been in contact with the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, throughout the day and said he would speak "to people he needed to speak to in due course".
Twice the Taoiseach's smile dropped the first when asked about Michael Lowry's vote in North Tipperary. He said: "He obviously got a very good vote. That is the decision of the electorate of North Tipperary.
The second time was when he was asked how he felt about Labour's director of elections, Mr Fergus Finlay, saying Bertie Ahern would be the next Taoiseach.
"Did he?" said Mr Bruton, adding that he had not heard it and had no further comment to make.