Having engaged in a phoney war over the position of Taoiseach, in order to assert their political credentials and establish a pecking order, Enda Kenny, Micheál Martin and Gerry Adams have two weeks to consider their options. Mr Kenny will continue as caretaker Taoiseach.
After repeated assertions that other parties were either unfit for office or unacceptable as government partners, sufficient time has now to be allowed for the public memory to fade.
Posturing by Mr Martin and others who find the concept of a grand coalition repugnant continues, in spite of the fact that it offers the most stable prospect for government. Fianna Fáil advocates a minority Fine Gael-led government, with an agenda agreed with them. It is an unrealistic demand that puts party interests first. The longer this stand-off continues – and it could last for months – the more frustrated a disillusioned electorate will become.
An under-pressure Mr Kenny reached for the high ground "in the national interest" when advisers suggested Fine Gael was prepared to enter government with Fianna Fáil. It piled pressure on Mr Martin who, up to then, had been concentrating on peripheral issues, such as Dáil reform and water charges. Joan Burton added to pressure by supporting a grand alliance.
As for Mr Adams, he insisted Sinn Féin would not enter government down here as a minority party.
The first step towards Dáil reform – the election of a Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot – was important. But it showed how shackled politicians are to tradition. Sean Ó Fearghaíl was a deserving winner because of the quality of his presentation. But voting was along party lines, with ‘Independents and Others’ tipping the balance in his favour.
When it was over, tributes came from all quarters in a friendly club-like atmosphere. That trend persisted during the nomination of Taoiseach, so that two speakers complained the place was being treated like a theatre.
There was general agreement that a committee should examine the question of Dáil reform. But reform meant different things to different parties and groups. For some, it meant the eclipse of executive government; others wanted more investigative power for committees while still others favoured change in advance of government formation. The process has the capacity to provide years of work for Constitutional lawyers.
Failure to elect a Taoiseach followed the predicted pattern. There were no surprises. Mr Martin trailed in second place, followed by Mr Adams. It was acknowledged, however, that housing, education and healthcare should become government priorities.
These areas are likely to absorb funding committed for tax breaks. Forming a grand coalition may be easier than breaking such promises. In spite of that, those are the paths Mr Kenny and Mr Martin are required to walk.