Eight weeks later, he said he was “delighted” by the results on Monday. But he ruled out calling an early general election, which must be held by March next year.

“I think what the people right across the country want me to do is my job,” Mr Harris told reporters when pressed.

“I’m 61 days as taoiseach of this country. They want me to bring energy not just to the campaign trail, but to also solving some issues, including ones that have seemed intractable in the past, and that’s my absolute determination.”

Sinn Fein won just 11.86 per cent of the local vote, with 85 per cent of the ballots counted, Fine Gael took 23 per cent and Fianna Fail 22.88 per cent. Independents won 28.4 per cent.

Before the final European results were confirmed from the Sunday double election, Fianna Fail had taken 16.5 per cent of the EU vote, Fine Gael 16.28 per cent and Sinn Fein 12.26 per cent.