Sinn Fein surge puts Irish economy in the spotlight

A former Irish President, Eamon de Valera, once famously outlined a vision for his country of "comely maidens dancing at the crossroads".

But fast forward to the 21st Century and it is the nation's politicians who are seeking a dance partner to form a government, with Ireland's economy at a crossroads.

The Dail, the parliament, meets in Dublin on Thursday with newly elected members ("TDs") convening to choose a Taoiseach, or prime minister, to lead a new government.

But there is more chance of finding a leprechaun's crock of gold than TDs agreeing on a new government, because this month's historic election finished with Sinn Fein gaining 24% of first preference votes, leaving no party with a majority.

This has broken the grip on power held for decades by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - but both have refused to form a coalition with Sinn Fein because of its historical links to the IRA.