As the Taoiseach plans the formation of the next Government one of four remaining recounts was resolved this afternoon when Fine Gael’s Mr Dan Neville retained his Dáil seat in Limerick West.
The recount was halted after Mr Neville’s party colleague, Mr Michael Finucane conceded.
Only one vote had separated Mr Neville for the third and final seat in the constituency from Mr Finucane, who was also a sitting TD, leading to the recount.
Mr Finucane conceded and called on the returning officer to stop the recount when he said that despite scrutiny of ballot papers there had been "no material change" in the lead held by Mr Neville.
"I am happy enough with the findings and I accept it. Democracy has spoken and I am sure there are many people out there feeling sorry at this stage that they didn't vote for me to tip me over the line," he said.
There was further bad news for Fine Gael, already reeling from the loss of 23 seats, today with the announcement that Mr Alan Dukes is considering leaving politics for good.
Speaking on Dublin radio station News Talk 106, the former Fine Gael party leader said this afternoon that at age 57 he had other things that he wanted to do with his life.
Mr Dukes lost his Kildare South seat in Friday’s election, but today’s statement would seem to be an indication that he will not be seeking a Seanad nomination.
Mr Dukes is widely credited for his role in Ireland’s economic success in the last decade through the Tallaght Strategy.
Meanwhile the Taoiseach is expected to approach a number of newly elected Independent TDs in the hope of gaining support for a new Government. It is understood Mt Ahern is anxious to establish the possibility of forming a Government before he enters talks with his former coalition colleagues, the Progressive Democrats.
The Fianna Fail chief whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, today supported this possibility by saying the four independents in the outgoing administration had played a crucial role as one of the "three legs of the Government".
Being short of an overall majority, Fianna Fáil could establish a minority Government with the aid of some independents.
It is thought that Mr Ahern may talk to up to five independents in a ploy to undermine the PDs bargaining position. Speaking in Dublin yesterday, he said: "If people start setting the bar too high" there are "other options and alternatives".
The Independents Mr Ahern is expected to consult in the next few days include Ms Mildred Fox (Wicklow), Mr Jackie Healy-Rae (South Kerry), Mr Niall Blaney (Donegal North-East), and Mr James Breen (Clare) and Mr Paddy McHugh (Galway East), who both ran as Independents after failing to get Fianna Fáil nominations.
Moves to shape the next Dáil comes as counting continues in three constituencies. Independent candidate Ms Kathy Sinnott was declared elected in Cork South Central, winning a seat from Fianna Fáil’s Mr John Dennehy by only three votes.
But a recount was called and is expected to continue for some days.
A recount in Wicklow will begin tomorrow while in Cavan Monaghan recounting will start on Thursday.
