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Irish election: Enda Kenny admits coalition will not return Irish election: Enda Kenny admits coalition will not return
(35 minutes later)
Taoiseach (prime minister) Enda Kenny has admitted his coalition government has failed to secure a return to office as the Irish election count continues.Taoiseach (prime minister) Enda Kenny has admitted his coalition government has failed to secure a return to office as the Irish election count continues.
Results so far suggest Mr Kenny's Fine Gael party will remain the largest in parliament, but will have only a narrow lead over its main rival, Fianna Fáil.Results so far suggest Mr Kenny's Fine Gael party will remain the largest in parliament, but will have only a narrow lead over its main rival, Fianna Fáil.
The junior coalition party, Labour, appears to have suffered badly.The junior coalition party, Labour, appears to have suffered badly.
Sinn Féin, smaller parties and independents all appear to have done well.Sinn Féin, smaller parties and independents all appear to have done well.
Counting will not conclude until Monday at the earliest, according to Irish state broadcaster RTÉ because a recount in Wexford requested by Sinn Féin will not begin until the morning.Counting will not conclude until Monday at the earliest, according to Irish state broadcaster RTÉ because a recount in Wexford requested by Sinn Féin will not begin until the morning.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has been elected on the sixth count in Louth.Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has been elected on the sixth count in Louth.
Afterwards he criticised both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.Afterwards he criticised both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
"Fianna Fáil won't deliver. People who voted for them will be disappointed in the longer term," he said."Fianna Fáil won't deliver. People who voted for them will be disappointed in the longer term," he said.
"The two big parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, have let the people down. They couldn't muster 50% of votes across the state - that's a seismic change in political history here." "The two big parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, have let the people down. They couldn't muster 50% of votes across the state - that's a seismic change in political history here."
It is likely Fine Gael will remain the largest party, but with a narrow lead over the main opposition, Fianna Fáil.
There is growing pressure on the two parties to provide a government.There is growing pressure on the two parties to provide a government.
Before the election, both of them indicated that they would not go into coalition with each other. Before the election, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil indicated that they would not go into coalition with each other.
Counting of ballots is continuing for a second day on Sunday.
With 104 seats filled, Fine Gael has 31 seats; Labour four; Fianna Fáil 30; Sinn Féin 14; Anti-Austerity-Alliance-People Before Profit four; the Social Democrats three; the Green Party two; the Independent Alliance four and 12 seats have gone to Independents.With 104 seats filled, Fine Gael has 31 seats; Labour four; Fianna Fáil 30; Sinn Féin 14; Anti-Austerity-Alliance-People Before Profit four; the Social Democrats three; the Green Party two; the Independent Alliance four and 12 seats have gone to Independents.
Mr Kenny - who has been re-elected in Mayo - said it was clear the existing government would not regain power.Mr Kenny - who has been re-elected in Mayo - said it was clear the existing government would not regain power.
He refused to discuss possible options for the next government.He refused to discuss possible options for the next government.
However, he added: "As taoiseach I have a duty and responsibility to see how best we might be able to put together a government," he said.However, he added: "As taoiseach I have a duty and responsibility to see how best we might be able to put together a government," he said.
"I'd like to think that it could be possible, given the final results, to be able to put a government together that could work through the many challenges we have.""I'd like to think that it could be possible, given the final results, to be able to put a government together that could work through the many challenges we have."
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin described the election as an "extraordinary vote" and said he was "very pleased".Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin described the election as an "extraordinary vote" and said he was "very pleased".
He said it would take time before it was clear what shape a new government would take.He said it would take time before it was clear what shape a new government would take.
"A lot will depend on the destination of the last seats in many constituencies. It's a bit too early to be definitive, but it's clear we're going to have a good day," he said."A lot will depend on the destination of the last seats in many constituencies. It's a bit too early to be definitive, but it's clear we're going to have a good day," he said.
Analysis: Chris Buckler, BBC Ireland correspondentAnalysis: Chris Buckler, BBC Ireland correspondent
With the vote divided between old rivals, new smaller parties and independent candidates, it is not clear how a stable government can or will be formed.With the vote divided between old rivals, new smaller parties and independent candidates, it is not clear how a stable government can or will be formed.
There is still the possibility there could be another election, if not in months then certainly within a couple of years.There is still the possibility there could be another election, if not in months then certainly within a couple of years.
Read more: Protest votes see coalition parties slumpRead more: Protest votes see coalition parties slump
Joan Burton said she was "very, very disappointed" that many Labour Party candidates would not be elected to parliament. Labour leader Joan Burton said she was "very, very disappointed" that many Labour Party candidates would not be elected to parliament.
"All I can say is that the Labour Party is at the fight for justice and social justice in Ireland and we will continue that fight in the next Dáil, even if our numbers are diminished.""All I can say is that the Labour Party is at the fight for justice and social justice in Ireland and we will continue that fight in the next Dáil, even if our numbers are diminished."
Among the other notable candidates elected so far are Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald and Fine Gael ministers Frances Fitzgerald, Charlie Flanagan and Leo Varadkar.Among the other notable candidates elected so far are Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald and Fine Gael ministers Frances Fitzgerald, Charlie Flanagan and Leo Varadkar.
However, Fine Gael's former Justice Minister Alan Shatter lost his seat, as has Alex White, the Labour Party's communications minister. Children's Minister James Reilly looks likely to lose his too.However, Fine Gael's former Justice Minister Alan Shatter lost his seat, as has Alex White, the Labour Party's communications minister. Children's Minister James Reilly looks likely to lose his too.
Sinn Féin, another big winner, indicated it would not go into government. Earlier, Sinn Féin's deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald, who was re-elected in Dublin Central, told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme her party would not be "enablers" of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil "running rampant across an unequal society".
The party's deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald, who was re-elected in Dublin Central, told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme her party would not be "enablers" of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil "running rampant across an unequal society".
She said going into government with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail or both, was a matter for Sinn Féin's ard fheis (ruling executive).She said going into government with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail or both, was a matter for Sinn Féin's ard fheis (ruling executive).
More than three million people were entitled to vote in Friday's poll, which will return 157 members of parliament, known as TDs. The ceann comhairle (speaker) is automatically returned.More than three million people were entitled to vote in Friday's poll, which will return 157 members of parliament, known as TDs. The ceann comhairle (speaker) is automatically returned.
The campaign was fought mainly over economic issues, with the government parties asking voters for their support to keep the recovery going at a time when international storm clouds were gathering.The campaign was fought mainly over economic issues, with the government parties asking voters for their support to keep the recovery going at a time when international storm clouds were gathering.
But the opposition parties countered that not everyone, especially outside middle-class Dublin, had been benefiting from the up-turn.But the opposition parties countered that not everyone, especially outside middle-class Dublin, had been benefiting from the up-turn.
The Republic of Ireland has had the fastest growing economy in the eurozone for the last two years.The Republic of Ireland has had the fastest growing economy in the eurozone for the last two years.
TDs are being elected according to the single transferable vote (STV) system, in which candidates have to reach a quota, before their surplus votes are distributed to others.TDs are being elected according to the single transferable vote (STV) system, in which candidates have to reach a quota, before their surplus votes are distributed to others.