The results are indeed a strong gain for Sinn Fein---but also for the Green Party (not republican-type green; environmentalist-type green), the Progressive Democrats, and assorted independents. Per the Irish Times, SF goes up from 1 seat to 5, Greens from 2 to 6, PDs from 4 to 8, and independents from 6 to 13. Fine Gael suffered a major loss, from 54 seats down to 31 at latest count. Fianna Fail's is actually a modest gain, from 77 seats to 80, with one seat apparently still undecided. Labour stays the same at 21. In net effect, the "small parties" and independents gained more from the rout of Fine Gael than Fianna Fail did.

An Irish Times article says Bertie Ahern, several seats shy of an absolute majority of 84, ".... is to hold talks with Independent TDs this week, to confirm his ability to lead a stable minority government without the Progressive Democrats, before opening coalition discussions with Ms Mary Harney. In a ploy aimed at reducing PD demands for extra government positions, Mr Ahern is to speak to at least five Independents to ascertain if a deal could be done with them in return for their support. Senior Fianna Fáil sources believe the availability of such a deal will weaken the PDs' bargaining position and give Mr Ahern a fallback option." (PD was FF's coalition partner for the past 5 years.)

Sinn Fein did well, narrowly missing a sixth seat in a recount in Ahern's own Dublin Central district, where Bertie's running-mate edged out the SF man by getting many more 2nd-choice "transfer" votes. (I gather SF tends to be many voter's first choice---or last. Not surprisingly.) SF's wins were 2 in northern Border regions (Cavan-Monaghan where they had their sole previous incumbent, and Louth), 2 in Dublin city, and 1 in Kerry North where candidate Martin Ferris was locally popular though of course controversial (he had served time for attempted gunrunning from the U.S.).

But keep in mind that Sinn Fein's 5 seats are out of 166 total, and they got 6.5% of the "first-preference" popular votes in the complex preferential voting system. That's a big gain----but it's still 6.5%. (I'm guessing it would've been closer to 10% if SF had entered a candidate in every constituency, which they did not. Automatic 0% in several districts doesn't help the overall score.)

Bertie said yesterday that he's happy SF has started down the political road (& I believe he modestly took some credit for steering them toward that peaceful path :) ; but that they cannot become part of a coalition government until "there is no IRA" any more. / Now THAT's "decomissioning."