Richard O'Donoghue Questions Vote Arithmetic After Dáil Count
Richard O'Donoghue thanked supporters after the 34th Dáil count and questioned whether the reported numbers produce a clear majority for the expected government grouping. He argued the vote totals "don't stack up", cited specific figures including an "89 for the Ciancola" and asked whether defections may already be occurring.
Election thanks and acknowledgements
He congratulated colleagues on their positions and thanked everyone in County Limerick who voted for him, as well as canvassers, office staff, family and friends for trusting him to represent Limerick and the country. He also offered thanks for the work done by Sean R Friel.
Examination of vote arithmetic
He described himself as a numbers person and said he had been following the voting and the commentary on media and social media suggesting the next government would be Fianna Fáil, Fianna Gael and independence. He highlighted that, in his reading of the figures, "89 for the Ciancola" was counted and that removing that vote left "88".
Interpretation and questions about majority
He noted that when the two Fianna Fáil members were removed the result "left Sinn Féin and independent," and said that indicated "there was only one majority." He asked rhetorically whether there were already defectors in Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael.
Seasonal note
He said the arithmetic was "something to think about over the Christmas" and wished everyone a very happy Christmas.
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At the start, congratulations on your position and to Sean R Friel for the great work he had done in his time here. I would like to thank everyone in County Limerick that have voted for me and trusted me on the 34th Dáil. I would like to thank all the canvassers, all the office staff, all my family and all my friends that are trusting me to represent him in Limerick and the country. I am a numbers person and I was looking here today when the voting was in for yourself and I looked across and I have been listening to the media and social media for the last number of weeks showing the next government is going to be Fianna Fáil, Fianna Gael and independence. Well, yes, when you look at the numbers today, they don't stack up, do they? Because when you look at the numbers of 89 for the Ciancola, which was backed by government, you take out the Ciancola's vote, that is 88. When the two Fianna Fáil members were taken out of that, it left Sinn Féin and independent. In that role, it shows there was only one majority. Is there defectors already in Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael? Is there? It only shows 88 out of a possible hominy. Something to think about over the Christmas, I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
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