Simon Harris and Micheal Martin are backed to re-enter coalition by punters

A coalition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, propped up by Independents, is the most likely outcome of the upcoming general election according to odds of 6/4 with BoyleSports.

Party leaders went head to head on Monday night in an RTÉ debate, with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin insisting they would not enter a coalition with Sinn Féin on the other side of next Friday's vote.

A government made up of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour is also being given a lively chance according to the betting at 15/8, but the chances of Fianna Fáil going into partnership with Sinn Féin look much less likely at 16/1.

Sinn Féin published its manifesto on Tuesday morning, which included vows to ban rent hikes and slash petrol prices, but Mary Lou McDonald is rated a 7/1 underdog in the race to be elected Taoiseach, with betting very tight between Simon Harris (10/11 favourite) and Micheál Martin (11/10).

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “Party leaders traded blows on the telly this week but nobody has landed a knockout punch just yet. The betting stakes have revealed no major shift since the campaigns began, with Sinn Féin trailing the other two main parties in the race for seats.”

Government After Election

6/4       FG/FF/Ind

15/8     FG/FF/Lab

10/1     FG/FF/Lab/Ind

10/1     FG Minority

12/1     SF/Lab/Soc Dems/PBP/Green/Ind

14/1     FG/FF/Green/Ind

14/1     FF Minority

14/1     SF/Lab/Soc Dems/PBP/Ind

16/1     FG/FF/Soc Dems

16/1     SF/FF

16/1     SF/FF/Ind

Most Seats 

8/11     Fine Gael

5/4       Fianna Fáil

7/1       Sinn Féin