Fianna Fáil's Dublin South East candidate Mr Eoin Ryan said today he expects to see the return of the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat coalition.
"It’s been a very good result for the Government and I expect to expect to see the return of the Fianna Fail/PD Government.
"We will probably be short of an overall majority but obviously we'll have to wait and see," Mr Ryan told ireland.com.
Asked whether he would like a senior ministerial post in the next Government, Mr Ryan said: "I was happy to serve as a Junior Minister, but, it’s up to the Taoiseach to decide what position I would have in the next Government, if any. I would be happy to serve in any capacity.
Mr Ryan also said that he was surprised at how well Sinn Féin performed around the country.
He also paid tribute to the Progressive Democrats. "Every time somebody writes them off they seem to bounce back. People said they were finished, but, they appear at this early stage to have bounced back again," he said.