"Seamie, do you remember how well you did managing those four independents between 1997 and 2002?" Ahern asks.

The leading question is a precursor to Brennan, a senior cabinet member for the last five years, moving back into the Chief Whip's Office. His task would be to act as minder to the independent TDs who would support a minority Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat coalition.

This weekend, Ahern still looks set to form a government with the PDs and some of the five independent TDs although the option of greater parliamentary security with the Green Party has not been excluded. For the independents a deal with Ahern offers perks, if not mercs.

There's the prospect of weekly meetings with the Chief Whip along with officials in the Taoiseach's Department checking on their constituency needs.

But do the independents offer the stability the Taoiseach says his new government must have?

Jackie Healy-Rae
Kerry South

Political Background: A Fianna Fail traditionalist and poll-topping councillor who canvassed in elections across Ireland for the party but eventually parted ways when headquarters blocked his own ambitions to be a Dail candidate.

Electoral History: Won his first Dail contest in 1997 as an Independent. He has now held off Fianna Fail's attempt to win two seats in Kerry South at three general elections. His local power base is strengthened by the fact that two of his sons are members of Kerry County Council.

Deal Demands: When he was in this position previously in 1997 Healy-Rae did a deal to support Bertie Ahern's minority Fianna Fail-PD coalition.

However, the deal was never published so it was impossible to actually gauge the extent of the concessions the Kerry South Independent won for his constituents. In short, he will look for tarmac and jobs.

There will be renewed competition between Fianna Fail's John O'Donoghue and Healy-Rae to claim credit for any spoils delivered in Kerry South.

Part of a new deal may involve the eventual reintegration of the Healy-Rae organisation into Fianna Fail with Michael Healy-Rae as a party candidate at the next general election.

Stability Factor: Excellent. Won't rock the boat and will want a full Dail term.

Beverley Flynn
Mayo

Political Background: Part of a Fianna Fail dynasty where her father Padraig Flynn was a leading party figure for two decades holding several ministerial positions. She has been an Independent TD since May 2004 but the parting of the ways over the unsuccessful libel case with RTE has been difficult for Flynn and many FF supporters in Mayo.

Electoral History: Defeated in the 1994 by-election called to fill the vacancy caused by her father's appointment as EU Commissioner. First elected to the Dail in 1997. Despite running as an independent last month, she marginally increased her first preference vote on her performance in 2002 when she was a Fianna Fail candidate.

Deal Demands: She's had a few years as an Independent but would welcome a return to the party and the chance to restart a political career that was heading towards ministerial office.

Many in Fianna Fail think that scenario is unlikely but the membership application may be completed if her legal bills with RTE are settled and loyalty to the government is guaranteed. Locally, Flynn has campaigned on Mayo's regional imbalance in the allocation of funds from the National Development Fund. Expect roads, rail upgrades, a focus on her Castlebar base and a tussle with Fianna Fail's new TD Dara Calleary.

Stability Factor: Excellent. Will use loyalty to find way back into Fianna Fail over a five year term.

Michael Lowry
Tipperary North

Political Background: Lowry has a strong Fine Gael pedigree, having first been elected for the party in 1987.

He is a party fixer extraordinaire and was a government minister after John Bruton was elected Taoiseach in 1994. He has been an independent TD for the last 11 years.

Electoral History: He contested three elections for Fine Gael (1987, 1989 and 1992) but he's fought the last three general elections as an independent and topped the poll in each contest. Has a deeply loyal and strongly committed organisation in Tipperary North.

The election of Noel Coonan for Fine Gael in last month's election means Lowry is no longer the unofficial Fine Gael TD in the constituency.

Coonan's election also means Lowry's chances of returning to Fine Gael are probably over.

Deal Demands: A pragmatic politician who may be looking at a final opportunity to wield some influence even if it is solely for his constituents in Tipperary North.

Lowry will think locally which will suit Fianna Fail although a deal with the Independent TD may mean Maire Hoctor is promoted to a junior minister position. So on all fronts, Tipperary North wins.

Stability Factor: Excellent. Won't be interested in an early general election.

Finian McGrath
Dublin North Central

Political Background: A teacher by profession, McGrath is a former full-time volunteer with the Simon Community. He's less a socialist and more a politician with a strong social conscience.

Electoral History: First ran for the Dail as an independent in 1992 when he received only 762 first preferences. Another defeat followed in 1997 but after being elected to Dublin City Council two years later he won a Dail seat at the 2002 general election. His re-election in Dublin North Central was an impressive achievement given the constituency had been reduced to a three seater and contained several big names.

Deal Demands: He says his word is his bond and he wants a five year Dail term. In truth, he wants priority for his constituency. Before the election he said that if he held the balance of power "the elderly, sick, disabled, housing, crime, Dublin Bay and working people will come first on his political agenda." It's a big list that could allow him claim credit for everything positive the government does over the next five years.

Stability Factor: Good when times are good but unpredictable when problems arise. According to his website, being an Independent in the Dail allows him "to act with his conscience, rather than having to toe any particular party line." This may have to be revised if he supports a FF-PD coalition.

Tony Gregory
Dublin Central

Political Background: Left-leaning, Gregory showed himself to be a political pragmatist when only days after he was first elected to the Dail in early 1982 he sat down to negotiate a deal to support a minority Charlie Haughey-led government.

Electoral History: Lost in the 1981 general election but has enjoyed success in eight subsequent contests in which he has battled with Bertie Ahern, the other ever present fixture over the last 25 years in Dublin Central.

Deal Demands: Despite the progress of the last decade, many of the original demands in the Gregory Deal in 1981 could be reactivated. Generous funding for social initiatives in Dublin Central would be high on Gregory's list but longtime tensions with Ahern would remain a real problem.

Stability Factor: Good. But Gregory would be unlikely to turn a blind eye to "events" which threatened the government's future. He's less likely to personally worry about precipitating a general election than any of the other four independents.