The Taoiseach says he has not assessed when the Government will hold the four by-elections that must happen after the European elections.
Four TDs – Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen, Labour's Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Sinn Féin's Kathleen Funchion and Independent Michael McNamara - all won seats at the European Parliament in Brussels.
The final Irish seats have been filled with the conclusion of the European elections count in the Midlands North-West constituency in the early hours of this morning.
Fine Gael’s Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh, along with Independent Ireland's Ciaran Mullooly, were subsequently all deemed elected in the early hours.
The election of Independent Luke 'Ming' Flanagan on the 20th count last night was followed by that of Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen just after 1.30am.
🚨🚨🚨🚨 Final Count #MidlandsNW (distribution of Luke Ming Flanagan’s surplus) 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Independent) ELECTED COUNT 19
Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil) - ELECTED COUNT 20
Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) - 100,454 + 327 (100,781) ELECTED
Nina Carberry (Fine Gael) -… pic.twitter.com/GyHZn3xiSY
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) June 14, 2024
In Ireland South Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Michael McNamara and Kathleen Funchion are celebrating being elected as MEPs.
They will join Seán Kelly who was elected on Monday and Billy Kelleher in Brussels next month.
Ms Ní Mhurchú said the timing couldn't be better as today is her birthday.
"It's magnificent; I am going to celebrate like there's no tomorrow - the celebrations won't last a day, they'll last many, many days," she said.
The election of sitting TDs in the European elections means four by-elections must happen in the next six months.
The by-elections are needed in Laois-Offaly, Dublin Bay North, Carlow-Kilkenny and Clare.
Taoiseach Simon Harris - flanked by party members - speaks to media in the RDS count centre in Dublin, 9-6-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ieTaoiseach Simon Harris says while he is undecided he doesn't fear going to the polls.
"We'll decide when to have the by-elections in due course, I haven't had an opportunity to assess that yet and to talk to the other party leaders in our coalition," he said.
"I certainly don't fear by-elections but this Government will continue its work.
"We've already been back at work obviously this week, working on a number of big issues.
"My view on the timing of the general election hasn't changed," he added.
Fine Gael TD Michael Ring has suggested a general election should be called in "September/October" as the party is "on a high".
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
