Mr Pat Rabbitte has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party by a convincing margin, following the counting yesterday of nearly 4,000 votes of party members.
The success of Mr Rabbittecomes just three years after Democratic Left merged with Labour.
Successfully marking the first time ordinary members have elected the leader of one of the three main parties, 88.2 per cent of the eligible voters cast their ballots in the race.
Early tallies put Mr Rabbitte, the Dublin South West TD, clearly ahead. The first count, declared shortly before 8.30 p.m., showed him with 1,587 votes, followed by Mr Brendan Howlin with 1,005 votes. The two remaining candidates, Dún Laoghaire TD Mr Eamon Gilmore, with 598 votes, and Dublin North West TD, Ms Róisín Shortall, with 282 votes, were then eliminated.
The distribution of transfers saw Mr Rabbitte easily elected, gaining an extra 541 votes, giving him 2,128. Mr Howlin won 306 extra, bringing him to 1,311 votes.
The race for the deputy leadership defied predictions when the favourite, Westmeath TD Mr Willie Penrose, failed to win a convincing lead on the first count.
Indications last night were that, following the distribution of the transfers of Dublin West TD, Ms Joan Burton, and of Dublin North Central TD, Mr Joe Costello, Wicklow TD Ms Liz McManuscould win the race.
Delighted by his leadership victory, Mr Rabbitte warned that he would strongly target Fianna Fáil's support base over the coming years. "Bertie Ahern can get ready to collect his P45," he said, to the cheers of supporters.
"There are people up and down the country who are crying out for an alternative, who think Labour but who don't vote Labour," said Mr Rabbitte, who takes over immediately from Mr Ruairí Quinn.
Offering congratulations to the victor, Mr Howlin, who loses his seat as deputy leader, said the direct election had generated "an extraordinary, enthusiastic energy" amongst the party's grassroots over the last six weeks.
"We will now need to ensure that we are a united party to face the challenges that are there, and are very real. I certainly discovered that during more than 2,500 miles around the country," he said.
Asked if he believed he had paid a price for loyalty towards both Mr Quinn and, previously, Mr Dick Spring, he said: "I think that there is some element to that."
The new party leader faces the challenge of preparing Labour for the 2004 local elections, and ensuring that all elements of the parliamentary party are represented on his front bench to be announced shortly.
Asked about possible disaffection in the Labour ranks now that the most senior positions in the party are held by former DL TDs, Mr Rabbitte said: "Whatever the decision will be, will be the decision of the rank and file of the Labour Party."
