Special Features

Initial results suggest PD seats will rely on transfers

Initial counts returned by tallymen in constituencies with candidates for the Progressive Democrats would seem to confirm the conclusion of the exit poll conducted by Lansdowne Market Research that first preference support for the PDs has declined dramatically since the 2002 general election.

How your vote works

The general election is conducted on the principle of Proportional Representation, using the Single Transferable Vote System. The elector casts a single transferable vote, i.e. a vote given in such a way as to indicate the voter's preference for candidates in order of choice.

Village Interview with Bertie Ahern

In an interview with Katie Hannon Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced his intention to stand down as Taoiseach before the end of the next Dáil term.

Katie Hannon: When will you retire?

Bertie Ahern: “I'm very clear in my mind and I have been for years that I'd stay active in politics until I'm 60…. and that brings us to 2012.” (In fact his 60th birthday is 12 September 2011. Which means he will be 60 one year earlier than he understands to be the case during the course of this interview)

Ahern says no to government with Sinn Fein

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, has ruled out going into government with Sinn Fein. Speaking on the Today with Pat Kenny show he said that Fianna Fail's and Sinn Fein's incompatibility had nothing to do with Sinn Fein's past and was rooted in their differing policies. He highlighted tax as one area of incompatibility.

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