GE2020: Over 60 TDs elected after all first counts completed
The 33rd Dáil is taking shape as the first counts have been completed in all 39 constituencies across the country.
Over 60 TDs have been elected out of a total of 160 after the first counts in all 39 constituencies.
Sinn Féin has secured the highest percentage of first preference votes, followed by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
.@MaryLouMcDonald elected on the first count in #Dublincentral @sinnfeinireland #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/U73YqUlQXD
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) February 9, 2020
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Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald tops poll in Dublin Central
Sinn Féin secured almost 30 seats today, with several posting massive surpluses that could have got a second candidate over
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald topped the poll in Dublin Central with 11,223 votes.
The party's housing spokesperson Eoin O'Broin, spokesperson on finance Pearse Doherty and health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly were all elected.
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Sinn Féin candidate out-polls Taoiseach in Dublin West constituency
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Dublin West councillor Paul Donnelly out-polled Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in his constituency.
He was elected after the first count in Dublin West after receiving 12,456 votes.
The Fine Gael leader was elected on the fifth count.
ELECTED: @LeoVaradkar @FineGael
#DublinW #Dublinwest #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/m8v9ix1LCw— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) February 9, 2020
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Leo Varadkar dismisses coalition with Sinn Féin
The Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar reiterated that his party will not form a new government with Sinn Féin.
The Taoiseach said he would be betraying the people that voted for them if they tried to form a coalition with Mary Lou McDonald’s party.
He said: “Nobody can be forced into some sort of forced marriage or forced coalition.
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Doherty, Coppinger and Burton lose seats amid Sinn Féin surge
Several high-profile figures who have been prominent features of Irish political life in recent years have lost their seats in the General Election.
Outgoing Fine Gael Minister Regina Doherty lost her seat in Meath East after the sixth count this evening.
Former Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Joan Burton lost her seat in Dublin West, and Ruth Coppinger of Solidarity - People Before Profit was excluded after the sixth count in the same constituency.
Earlier, the outgoing Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross lost his seat in Dublin Rathdown.
