Ireland's PM says his party to engage "fully' with other parties

Despite the disappointing outcome of the general election, Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny said on Monday that his party will engage "fully and inclusively" with other parties, groups and independent deputies to ensure the establishment of a government.

In a statement released after the first post-election cabinet meeting, Kenny said Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) will formulate a set of principles that will take account of the concerns and issues raised by the public during the election campaign and also guide the party's participation in a future government.

"In consultation with our elected representatives, we will formulate a set of principles that will guide Fine Gael participation in a future government. These principles will take account of the issues of concern that were highlighted and prioritised by the Irish people during the election campaign," he said.

"We look forward to discussing these and other ideas with the other parties and groups in a new Dail Eireann that reflects the changed circumstances following the election," he added.

According to media reports, the formation of the government was not discussed during the cabinet meeting. But it has been confirmed that there will be a curtailed travel program for ministers taking part in St Patrick's Day celebrations around the world and ministers who lost their seats will not be travelling. Kenny will be going to Washington as usual.

So far, 156 out of 158 seats have been filled, 39 out of 40 constituencies complete and there was a 65 percent national turnout. A recount is continuing in the Longford-Westmeath constituency, the last to declare in the general election.

There have been significant losses for Fine Gael and its coalition partner Labor and big gains for Fianna Fail (Republican Party), Sinn Fein, independents and smaller parties.

Despite suffering heavy losses, Fine Gael still retained the largest party status in the 32nd Dail Eireann, lower house of Irish parliament. Fine Gael secured 49 seats, only 5 ahead of its main rival Fianna Fail (Republican Party).

Gerry Adams' Sinn Fein made a historic breakthrough to win 23 seats. The party is now the third largest in terms of members of parliament in Ireland.

Fine Gael became the largest party in Ireland after the 2011 general election. It then formed a coalition government with the Labor Party, with the Fine Gael party leader Enda Kenny serving as prime minister. Kenny has led the party since 2002.

Labor had 33 seats when the 31th Dail Eireann dissolved early this month and now it took a serious thumping in Friday's poll, only securing 6 seats so far.

Fine Gael and Labor fell far short of required 80 seats for a coalition government for the next five years.

On Friday, Irish voters went to the polls in an general election described as one of the most unpredictable in recent times.

More than 3.2 million people are eligible to vote in 40 constituencies being contested by 552 candidates, a slight drop on the number that contested the 2011 general election.

In this year's election, the candidates will run for the 157-member Dail Eireann. Outgoing Dail Eireann Speaker Sean Barrett is elected automatically, bringing the total number of TDs (members of parliament) to 158, down eight from the last Dail Eireann.

On Feb. 3, Irish President Michael D Higgins signed a proclamation to dissolve the 31st Dail Eireann at the request of Prime Minister Kenny and the incoming Dail Eireann will sit on March 10. Enditem