![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/ge_2020.png\")
Sinn F\u00e9in will work to form a \u201cpeople\u2019s government\u201d voters can relate to after making historic gains in the General Election, leader Mary Lou McDonald said.<\/p>\nSinn F\u00e9in will work to form a \u201cpeople\u2019s government\u201d voters can relate to after making historic gains in the General Election, leader Mary Lou McDonald said.<\/p>\n
She pledged to get to grips with crises in housing and health and bring a new lease of life to public administration.<\/p>\n
Counting of votes resumes today in 26 constituencies to fill the remaining 82 seats.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in emerged as the most popular party in the country, securing the most first preference votes and topping the polls in the vast majority of constituencies across a state previously dominated by two other large parties.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in received 24.5% of the vote share on first preference, Fianna F\u00e1il got 22.2% and Fine Gael 20.9%.<\/p>\n
It could be months before a Government is formed, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said, with talks on forming a coalition set to begin between party leaders.<\/p>\n
Mrs McDonald told RT\u00c9: \u201cWe want to talk to anyone who is interested in delivering a program for government. That is about getting to grips with the housing crisis and solving it, getting to grips with the crisis in health and giving families and workers a break and giving a new lease of life to government.<\/p>\n
\u201cA government that people relate to, that is in tune with the realities of people\u2019s day-to-day lives, not one that is aloof and adrift from the experiences of citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2.50207062.jpg\")
Fianna F\u00e1il remains best placed to secure the most seats, primarily due to Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s failure to field enough candidates to capitalise on its unexpected surge at the polls.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael looks like being the big loser and will concede several high profile-seats.<\/p>\n
Finance minister Paschal Donohoe said: \u201cIt is clear that no political party in our country has a monopoly on representing the people of Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
None of the parties will come close to securing enough seats to achieve a majority in the D\u00e1il, so thoughts have already turned to the make up of a coalition.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in has been left to rue its decision to run half the number of candidates of its two main rivals.<\/p>\n
That will see a significant number of Sinn F\u00e9in surplus votes being transferred to other parties in the proportional representation contest.<\/p>\n
Smaller groupings such as the Greens, Labour, the Social Democrats and Solidarity\/People Before Profit, and a sizable number of independent TDs, may all be courted as the main parties seek junior coalition partners.<\/p>\n
Mrs McDonald said: \u201cThis campaign has been about change and giving Sinn F\u00e9in a chance to demonstrate what it feels like when it is led by or has a party of the people in it, that has been the theme of our discussions and conversations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis vote for Sinn F\u00e9in is for Sinn F\u00e9in to be in government, for Sinn F\u00e9in to make a difference, for Sinn F\u00e9in to be tested, for Sinn F\u00e9in to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin declined to repeat his pre-election pledge never to do business with Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n
He later cautioned observers not to \u201cjump the gun\u201d in interpreting his remarks as a signal an alliance with the party was in the offing.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said his party\u2019s stance on not dealing with Sinn F\u00e9in was unchanged.<\/p>\n
There are 160 seats in the D\u00e1il. The Ceann Comhairle is automatically re-elected, leaving 159 seats up for grabs and 80 the magic number for a majority.<\/p>\n