Can Sinn Fein Recover

[edifice.]

In five years time the peace process hype will be gone, they'll be closing down hospitals in the north and any air of radicalism about them will be gone. How can they recover?

[padraig]

Recover from what, the electorate have made this election a referendum between FF and FG, that is clear SF's vote has held up, the PDs and Ind have taken a hammering. So the party didn't make the in roads that many thought they would, so what the next election will be different, the members of the party and its candidates have done their best in this campaign, and will continue to build on that on the ground.

[wildmind]

Need a real leader in the south. Ireland is extremely partitionist.

[factual]

Sinn Féin has substantially increased its vote and even increased its share of the vote on a rising turnout.

In an election where people focused on the Enda v Bertie clash Sinn Féin did very well - almost uniquely among the smaller parties.

Sinn Féin continue the rising trend and will be more important than ever in this very tight Dail.

[bolandphil]

there's a lot of younger candidates who've given themselves a decent basis this time...and in five years they may get better transfers...

[factual]

There are a lot of young and talented Sinn Féin candidates just sitting short of a seat. Sinn Féin will be able to build on this result. The way is up for Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin increased its vote at this election in way that can be sustained in the next election.

[thestonethrower]

we have build a positive foundation for 2009 local elections and for the future of the party, Our Leadership could have preformed better but hey nots blame the blame game just learn from our mistakes and get ripping at the fianna fail machine show the people their true colours

[Carrigaline]

Don't kid yourselves, this is a kicking for Sinn Féin, maybe not in the scale the PD's got, but a kicking none the less.

As I see it.

Cavan/Monaghan, and Kerry North have been held.

Louth will almost certainly be held too.

I think Aengus is in real trouble in Dublin South Central, I'd say it's 50-50 as to whether he can hold.

I don't see a gain in Donegal, FF transfers will wipe Mac Lochlainn out.

Therefore, Sinn Féin to take 4 seats at very best.

[bolandphil]

so a loss of one seat with a slight increase in vote. how is that a kicking?

[factual]

Don't kid yourselves, this is a kicking for Sinn Féin,

Sinn Féin increased its share of the vote at a time when the turnout actually increased. Unlike the other smaller parties, Sinn Féin's vote share went up.