THE JOYOUS WINNERS

SIMON HARRIS

IF a loss would have been fatal to his political career, the opposite applies to a win. Unlike many of his colleagues, he took the fight to an impressive pro-life campaign and did not look like a lightweight. When it comes to the succession states, Paschal will be watching closely.

MARY LOU Mc DONALD

FOR once Sinn Féin found themselves with the forces of light in a referendum. Her appearances with Micheál Martin and tic-tacking with Leo Varadkar makes it increasingly difficult for both to say Sinn Féin are unclean. The final stage of the process of normalisation has begun.

PEADAR TÓIBÍN

IN yet another example of Sinn Féin’s capacity to have it both ways, Peadar Tóibín emerged as the star of the No side. Went toe-to-toe with Simon Harris in the keynote debate and emerged as a passionate, fresh-thinking politician. The task now will be for Sinn Féin and Tóibín to manage his reintegration.

LEO VARADKAR

A WIN is a win. Although he canvassed horribly, we saw his bids to empathise with women in the Cervical-Check crisis explode in his face. He may have put in dismal media performances over the campaign, but Leo will bask in the historic victory on an issue he prioritised upon his election last year.

CATHERINE NOONE

SHE was seen as the most lightweight of Leo’s ambitious female underlings. This vote offered her a chance to shine and she took it. All she needs now is a constituency.