The shape of the next government is emerging.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have both reiterated their view tonight that they want to form a stable government.
Any vague suggestion that Fine Gael might want to take some time out and sit on the opposition benches has been scotched by senior party figures.
Yes, Sinn Féin will endeavour to stitch together a left-wing alliance but the numbers are not there to reach a bare majority of 88 Dáil seats.
However, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s combined numbers will exceed 80 seats.
It seems certain now that Fianna Fáil will win the highest number of seats, which should pave the way for Micheál Martin to become the next taoiseach.
To form a secure government though will require some assistance from others.
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar advised this evening that at least 90 TDs are needed to have a comfortable working majority.
There are three options, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats or independents.
Throughout the election campaign there were not so subtle nods to Labour from the larger parties.
But will Labour risk entering government and leaving the Social Democrats to consolidate the centre-left vote from the opposition benches?
It would be a political risk, but Mary Harney’s words come to mind when she spoke about the worst day in government being better than the best day in opposition.
The Social Democrats are seen as less likely coalition partners and selling a programme for government to its membership could be challenging.
The third option is to talk to a small number of independent TDs.
If Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are quite close to the 90 mark, then this could be a runner.
It is likely that TDs who have supported previous governments would be spoken to first.
That list is likely to include Seán Canney, Noel Grealish, Michael Lowry and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran.
Getting all this nailed down before Christmas looks too big a task.
It is more likely that this new Government will not be fully formed until January.
