One more interesting note--the "good showing" by Sinn Fein in Dublin included nearly unseating Bertie's #2 man.

I can't see FF with the Greens, anymore than I can see FF with SF. The Greens and Sinn Fein are too left leaning on social issues, environment, etc to mesh at all.

I'm putting my money on a FF/PD government, though the prospect of the former FF Independents (bet the FF leadership is kicking itself now for backing the wrong horses?) might give them the majority, it will only be by a breath. They'll play it safe with PD I think, as they'll never get all the Independents to line up behind them consistently enough to manage their own agenda with any certainty.

I personally was delighted to see FG go down, and former Tanaiste Spring to be thrown out the door. The regressive Irish Labour party is a joke, IMO. It would be great if the Socialist, Green & Sinn Fein parties could create a strong alliance and leave Labour in the dust. Then perhaps Ireland would see some REAL changes in 2007...