Labour and Sinn Fein coalition possible for next general election

Latest opinion polls have revealed that Sinn Fein and Labour could possibly form a coalition government without the support of Fine Gael.

Figures suggest that Labour will get 48 seats in the next election, while Sinn Fein will pick up 24, leaving them 11 seats short of an overall majority. This would require them to garner the support of 11 of the projected 15 Independents.

Fine Gael, meanwhile, are set to win 67 seats, which means that they could possibly go into government without the support of Labour.

If Enda Kenny was supported by the 15 Independents, their government would have 82 seats, only one seat short of an overall majority.

A Fine Gael/Labour coalition would win 115 seats, which would be an incredible 90 seats more than the main opposition party, Sinn Fein, and 33 seats more than they would need for an overall majority - it would be the biggest landslide victory in the history of the state.

Fianna Fail, meanwhile, according to the poll, will win 12 seats, while the Green Party will lose all of theirs.