Odds have been slashed on Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein forming the next Government.
The two parties are now just 2/1 to enter a coalition together, after Micheal Martin last night appeared to leave the door open to doing business with Mary Lou McDonald.
It would be a spectacular U-turn by Mr Martin, who is realistically facing his last chance at becoming Taoiseach.
Just weeks ago, on January 13, he said: “I’ve made it very clear. I don’t trust Sinn Fein in terms of government and my fundamental concern with the Sinn Fein party is that people outside of the elected representatives dictate what transpires.”
But yesterday, he said: “There are significant issues there. But over the next number of days we’ll tease those out with all concerned.”
“I’m a democrat. I listen to the people.”
Bookmakers Ladbrooks is also offering a Fianna Fail and Fine Gael forming a grand coalition at a price of 5/1.
Meanwhile, the possibility of another General Election this year has also shortened up dramatically in the betting and is now just 11/4 from 6/1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “It seems like Fianna Fail have softened their position of not working with Sinn Fein and the odds very much suggest that the two parties will indeed form the next government.”
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The news comes as rampant Sinn Fein turned the political landscape on its head, with defiant leader Mary Lou McDonald vowing: “This is just the beginning.”
The party inflicted savage losses on Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, dramatically reversing its nightmare European and local election results.
One of its councillors humiliated Leo Varadkar, pulling in 12,456 first preference votes compared to the Taoiseach’s 8,478.
Paul Donnelly topped the poll in Dublin West, leaving political experts to wonder if a sitting Taoiseach had ever failed to do so.
As Mr Varadkar was being knocked off his perch, nearly 250km away Donnchadh O Laoghaire topped the poll in Cork South Central to become the first TD elected to the 33rd Dail, a day after his 31st birthday.
In what amounted to another political hammering, he beat Tanaiste Simon Coveney and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to the top spot.
And its stunning success is set to continue today with its final seat haul expected to be in excess of 30.
