<P> In the event that no agreement can be reached to nominate an individual to lead a minority government, the previous Taoiseach (acting in a caretaker capacity) can then seek dissolution of the Dáil and call a new general election . However, this scenario has not yet occurred . </P> <P> The last Dáil with a single - party simple majority government was in 1977 . Minority governments have been relatively common in the short history of the Dáil, making up 14 of the 32 governments (44%) formed since the Dáil was founded . </P> <Ul> <Li> 1922 </Li> <Li> 1923 </Li> <Li> June 1927 </Li> <Li> September 1927 </Li> <Li> 1932 </Li> <Li> 1933 </Li> <Li> 1937 </Li> <Li> 1943 </Li> <Li> 1951 </Li> <Li> 1961 </Li> <Li> 1981 </Li> <Li> February 1982 </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> 2016 </Li> </Ul> <P> The period of 1987 - 2016 (29 years) is the longest that there has not been a minority government in charge . </P>

How many seats do labour need to form a minority government