Counting officials take a break beside sacks of ballot papers at the Dublin RDS centre, in Dublin, on December 1, 2024, on the second day of counting ballots in the Irish General Election. Smaller opposition parties like the Social Democrats, and Labour, as well as non-aligned independent candidates could be in the mix for coalition talks with the main parties, as they seek to make up an 88-seat majority in the Dail. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)