Solidarity’s Mick Barry has withdrawn his request for a full recount in Cork North Central.

The fifth and final seat will now be taken by Labour's Eoghan Kenny.

Prior to withdrawing his request, Mr Barry - who has been a TD since 2016 -  said he felt “tired” but as “cool as a breeze”. 

“We were told that about 25% of the papers were checked,” he said. 

“They revealed 29 discrepancies; now, they broke towards us - but only by the most marginal amount - but 29 discrepancies in 25%, that’s quite a number of discrepancies.

“That would be 116 discrepancies overall if that trend were to continue.” 

'I'm a little bit tired, but apart from that I feel cool as a breeze.' @MickBarryTD reacts after a full recount is called in Cork North Central. In the race for the final seat, he trailed Labour's Eoghan Kenny by 35 votes. pic.twitter.com/WcgjP3hInH

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) December 2, 2024

Counting is still underway in seats across the country but the broad shape of the next Dáil is clear - Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will have close to a majority. 

The next question is, will they do business with Labour or perhaps the SocDems?

Aontú has two TDs now and have said they are open to supporting the Government. 

Or should Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael now go down the independent route instead? 

So, could there be a Government supported by Independent Ireland, plus a couple of the independents - like Michael Lowry and Noel Grealish?

That could be an easier option for the Government - but it is still too early to tell.

Main image: Mick Barry from People Before Profit. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Reporting by James Wilson, Jamie O'Hara and Seán Defoe.