Pressure builds for FF-FG grand coalition; FF to demand Taoiseach’s office in any deal; Labour decimated as independents and SF surge

Micheál Martin now faces the thorny issue of coalition with Fine Gael

The key to this election has been the “grumpy middle”

Party facing catastrophic loss of seats across the country

Party could be in the low to mid-20s in seat numbers

The grand coalition is certain, if not immediate

Fine Gael and Labour need a game changer tonight, writes Pat Leahy

The election campaign that we never got, schadenfreude at the demise of Labour, and TDs with holes in their bank accounts

Poll: FG rises as Sinn Féin slumps; Business backs FG despite concerns

Time to decide

Red C tracking poll shows support up by two points to 30 per cent

The election campaign remains deadlocked with no apparent alternative government in sight

But the big fish must avoid being reeled in, writes Pat Leahy

Adams did not feel sufficiently proficient to debate in the language

Fine Gael and Labour’s combined vote has dropped by five points

Auction politics, promises of tax cuts, promises of spending increases . . . plus ça change

With just 16 days to go, Political Editor Pat Leahy assesses the campaign so far

Early days marred by behind-the-scenes divisions over debates and campaign strategy

Early skirmishes on economy as formation of next government uncertain

No campaign was ever decided in the first week