#GE16: Minister for Children James Reilly Has Lost His Seat

Fine Gael Deputy Leader and Children's Minister Dr James Reilly has lost his seat in Dublin Fingal.  Dr. Reilly's Sinn Féin rival Louise O’Reilly ousted the 60-year-old, clinching the spot on the tenth count. Reacting to his loss on RTÉ, Reilly said:

“I suppose now the Taoiseach has a job to do, to be focused on. He’s not going to be thinking about my loss or Alan’s [Shatter] loss. He has to get this country back on track,” he said.

Reaction has been mixed:

Just told my wife @Corklollipop (an oncology nurse) James Reilly has been eliminated.

Her response "brilliant"#ge16 #health — Ken Curtin (@kencurtin) February 28, 2016

Commiserations to James Reilly who has lost out. Got a lot of adverse reaction in Health but was a very competent Children's Minister #GE16 — Gareth Noble (@GarNob) February 28, 2016

James Reilly was a good Minister for the youth sector. Best of luck to him.#GE16

— Ian Power (@powerian) February 28, 2016

James Reilly's analogy of FG's governance is excellent - 'The operation was a success but the patient is still in a lot of pain.' — Her Name Is Noëlle (@noelle_murph1) February 28, 2016

James Reilly also gone the way of the dodo and Ferris. Scary for people up there if he's as good a doctor as he was a minister #GE16

— Charlie Melia (@charleymelia) February 28, 2016

  More on #GE16 as we have it...