Ahern to lead again

RAPID-fire election results kept the whole of the Republic holding its breath last night as Fianna Fail continued to dismiss the possibility of an overall majority government.

Pundits and election strategists predicted a total of 83 seats for Fianna Fail, a huge drop to 32 for Fine Gael, an increase to six seats for the PDs, a total of five for Sinn Fein, 22 for Labour, one Socialist and around 11 independents.

The make-up of the next government still remained wide open last night, but Bertie Ahern will certainly lead it. It remains to be seen if he will stick to his claim that he won't do business with Sinn Fein.

Early results looked set to deliver at least 82 and possibly more seats to Fianna Fail. Just two more seats would give the party a majority in the 29th Dail.

It appeared that Fine Gael would return with as few as 32 seats, losing a massive 40 per cent of those it held.

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