Newly-elected Kildare TDs taking a breather today after dramatic weekend of counts

Co Kildare's new TDs are taking a well-earned rest today after grueling counts in Punchestown at the weekend.

Cllr Fiona O'Loughlin and Fianna Fail party colleague Sean O Fearghail were successful in Kildare South as well as Martin Heydon of Fine Gael.

Labour's Mark Wall failed to hold on to his father Jack's seat in the constituency.

In Kildare North, veteran Labour TD Emmet Stagg failed to retain his seat and his vote collapse led to a gain for Fianna Fail who returned Cllr James Lawless and Cllr Frank O'Rourke.

Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats and Bernard Durkan of Fine Gael were also returned for another term in the Dail.

All the TDs will gather in Leinster House next week when preparations will begin to form a government.

Meanwhile there are still 10 seats to fill across the country and at the moment the national picture is Fine Gael is at 47, Fianna Fail is at 43, Sinn Fein is at 22 and Labour is 6.