Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have each won five seats in the General Election, according to official results published by the Electoral Commission, setting up complex coalition negotiations ahead of Taoiseach nominations scheduled for December 27th.
The final tally shows no party securing an overall majority in the 20-seat Dáil, with the Social Democrats making significant gains to win four seats - up one from the previous election - while Fianna Fáil secured four seats and Labour retained their single seat.
The results mark a dramatic shift in Ireland's political landscape, with Fine Gael losing one seat from their previous total of six, while Sinn Féin maintained their five seats despite intense competition.
Final Seat Distribution
| Party | Seats Won | Previous | Change | % of Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Gael | 5 | 6 | -1 | 26.3% |
| Sinn Féin | 5 | 5 | - | 26.3% |
| Fianna Fáil | 4 | 4 | - | 21.1% |
| Social Democrats | 4 | 3 | +1 | 21.1% |
| Labour Party | 1 | 1 | - | 5.3% |
Constituency-by-Constituency Results
All eight constituencies have now completed their counts, with several closely contested races decided by narrow margins. Here's the full breakdown:
Key Developments and Notable Results
Several constituencies delivered surprising results that will shape the coalition negotiations:
Labour Holds Midlands-North Leinster
In a significant victory for the Labour Party, they successfully defended their seat in Midlands-North Leinster, gaining it from Fine Gael compared to the previous election. This single seat could prove crucial in coalition arithmetic.
Social Democrats Make Gains
The Social Democrats' success story of the election was confirmed with their gain of a seat in Midlands-North Leinster from Fianna Fáil, bringing their total to four seats. The party now holds seats in Shannon, Dublin South, Dublin North, and Midlands-North Leinster.
Fine Gael Loses Ground
Despite finishing joint-top with five seats, Fine Gael will be disappointed with the loss of one seat from their previous total of six. The party lost seats in Midlands-North Leinster to Labour.
Fianna Fáil Gains in Dublin
Fianna Fáil made an important gain in Dublin North from the Labour Party, adding to their tally and maintaining their position as kingmakers in coalition talks with four seats overall.
What Happens Next?
December 27th: The Dáil will reconvene for Taoiseach nominations. Multiple ballots may be needed if no candidate secures the required majority.
Coalition Negotiations: With no party holding an overall majority (10 seats required), intensive coalition talks are expected in the coming days.
Possible Scenarios: Various coalition combinations are mathematically possible, including Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil (9 seats), Sinn Féin-Fianna Fáil (9 seats), or broader multi-party coalitions.
Analysis: A Fragmented Dáil
Political analysts are describing this as one of the most fragmented election results in recent Irish history, with five parties sharing the 19 elected seats relatively evenly.
The tie between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin at five seats each creates a unique situation where neither of the two largest parties has a clear claim to lead government formation talks. Both will likely need to court smaller parties to build a working majority.
The Social Democrats' strong performance positions them as potential kingmakers, with their four seats potentially decisive in determining which coalition can command a Dáil majority.
📊 Full Official Results
Detailed results, including vote counts and transfers, are available in the Electoral Commission's official report:
The Week Ahead
The coming days will be crucial as party leaders consult with their TDs and begin exploratory talks. With the Dáil due to reconvene on December 27th for Taoiseach nominations, time is of the essence.
Constitutional experts note that if no Taoiseach is elected on the first ballot, the process can continue with multiple votes until a candidate secures the necessary support.
RTÉ will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of coalition negotiations and political developments as they unfold.