Independents' performance/analysis:Many pre-election predictions proved inaccurate, but one that held up was that the number of independent voices in the new Dáil would fall significantly, writes Miriam Donohoe, Political Staff
The Independent presence will be dramatically reduced in the 30th Dáil, with indications last night that fewer than 10 deputies with no party affiliation would be returned.
Just like the smaller parties, the Independents - whose ranks swelled to 14 after the 2002 election - found themselves squeezed between the two forces presenting themselves for power this time around, the outgoing Fianna Fáil/PD Government and the Fine Gael/Labour alliance.
Last time, the absence of two competing blocs meant it was open season for a range of candidates on single issues.
The Independents had no real influence in the last Dáil, unlike the previous one when three of them kept the minority Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition in power. The political landscape changed dramatically in 2002 after Fianna Fáil and the PDs secured a comfortable majority.
The Independents worked reasonably well together as a group on policy issues but the Government did not have to pay too much heed to them as they did not depend on them for votes. This political reality led to some Independents opting to come in from the cold.
Donegal North East's Niall Blaney joined Fianna Fáil late last year, and Wexford's Liam Twomey went to Fine Gael, a move that last night looked as if it had lost him his seat. The Independent ranks were swelled when Catherine Murphy won the Kildare North by-election after Charlie McCreevy went to Europe as Commissioner for External Trade.
By the end of the Dáil, their numbers stood at 14, if you include Dublin West Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, who sat next to the Independents, co-operating with them on parliamentary tactics while strongly emphasising his party's independence and policies. The loss of his seat yesterday to Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar was a huge shock.
A big factor if Fianna Fáil needs the support of Independents to form the next government will be the fact that few of the handful of returning Independents are from what is known as the Fianna Fáil "gene pool".
Late last night Beverley Flynn, Jackie Healy-Rae and Paudge Connolly were all battling to keep their seats. However, the Government could do a deal with Tony Gregory of Dublin Central, who was assured of his seat, and Finian McGrath, who was still in with a shout in Dublin North Central. Michael Lowry, the former Fine Gael TD, had the best Independent performance yesterday, topping the poll in Tipperary North. He said he would be prepared to do business with Bertie Ahern if it meant "the people of Tipperary benefit".