The Dáil's 16 independents are feeling the love right now as they move centre stage in government formation talks.
Several of them have been quick to announce that their phones are on and they are willing to serve.
In return for bolstering the coalition majority, they will seek concessions for their constituencies.
But in reality, given the strength of the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ranks, Independents do not have the same leverage as they did in 2016 when then Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was desperately trying to shore up a minority government.
In order to increase their negotiating power, many of the independents are already organising into groups.
This also guarantees them speaking rights.
So far, the Regional Group of Independents has announced eight members although more could be added.
These are: Seán Canney, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Noel Grealish, Michael Lowry, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Verona Murphy and Gillian Toole.
But who are the independents in the 34th Dáil and how likely are they to be called upon to go into government?
Seán Canney
The Galway East TD is back in the frame for government after previously supporting the minority Fine Gael administration in 2016.
That was as part of the Independent Alliance and he was also a Junior Minister in a rotating arrangement with Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.
Mr Canney remains in the Regional Independent group which has grown its ranks in this Dáil. He would be seen as a likely government supporter.
Catherine Connolly
The Galway West TD is a longtime critic of government and is probably too left-wing to sit comfortably within a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael coalition.
She has also said she does not wish to reprise her role as Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
Paul Gogarty
The former Green Party TD has experienced the rough end of government already serving in the 2007 Fianna Fáil-Green coalition which collapsed ignominiously after the crash.
He is back representing Dublin Mid-West and has already said he would be happy to join a group of like-minded progressive independents.
But he also conceded that the two larger parties are more likely to look to independents who have previously supported governments - people like Seán Canney and Noel Grealish.
Noel Grealish
Noel Grealish has been a TD for Galway West since 2002, first as part of the Progressive Democrats and later as an independent.
He supported the 2007 Fianna Fáil-led government.
In recent years, he has been criticised for comments on asylum seekers.
Marian Harkin
Marian Harkin has been a TD or MEP since 2002. At one stage over the weekend, she appeared to concede that she would not be elected in Sligo-Leitrim, but she survived.
Already, Ms Harkin has made it clear that she would be willing to serve in return for local concessions.
Séamus Healy
Séamus Healy has represented Tipperary intermittently since a by-election in 2000.
He is now back in the Dáil for Tipperary South, reclaiming a seat he lost in 2020.
Mr Healy is a member of the Workers and Unemployed Action group political party which has a base in Clonmel.
Michael and Danny Healy-Rae
The two Kerry TDs are experts at managing the vote and tending to constituency matters. Michael has already made it known that he is available to serve and that his three priorities are "Kerry Kerry and Kerry".
Their father Jackie supported two Fianna Fáil coalitions and famously cut deals with Bertie Ahern for local infrastructure.
Some of those seeking to form the next government seem to favour approaching the Regional Independent Group first.
Barry Heneghan
Barry Heneghan, 26, is a new representative for Dublin Bay North. He is aligned with former minister Finian McGrath but also has his own advisers.
He has said he is up for negotiating with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and has a list of asks.
These include securing a new Emergency Department in Beaumont Hospital, a permanent school building for Gaelscoil Reachrann and improved disability and mental health.
Michael Lowry
The former Fine Gael minister and long-time independent representative for Tipperary has supported Fianna Fáil-led governments in the past and would be seen as a dependable choice.
He has made it clear that he is available. Given his previous support, it is thought likely that he could be in the fold. And he frequently supported the last government on votes.
Kevin 'Boxer' Moran
The comeback kid from Athlone is back in the Dáil representing Longford-Westmeath after losing out in 2020.
Along with Seán Canney, he also supported the 2016 government as part of the Independent Alliance and became a junior minister.
Mr Moran is also seen as somebody who could be called on to boost the coalition’s numbers.
Verona Murphy
Verona Murphy topped the poll in Wexford and was re-elected on the first count.
She fell out with Fine Gael during the 2019 by-election over her comments on immigrants and ran as an independent in the subsequent general election.
Ms Murphy has said several people have already been in touch with her about government.
Carol Nolan
Carol Nolan held her seat in Offaly after having represented Laois-Offaly since 2016.
She split with Sinn Féin in 2018 on the abortion issue and is not seen as a likely backer of a new Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael coalition.
Mattie McGrath
Mattie McGrath has been a TD for Tipperary since 2007 and was comfortably re-elected for Tipperary South.
The former Fianna Fáil member is no stranger to controversy and could be considered too right-wing for the coalition with conservative views on abortion and same-sex marriage.
Brian Stanley
The newly-elected TD for Laois has had a torrid few months resigning from Sinn Féin and successfully winning a seat under his own Independent Republican mantle.
As a recent departee from Sinn Féin, he is unlikely to be on the list of independents tapped to support Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Gillian Toole
The new Independent TD for Meath East was a Fine Gael councillor until 2019 when she resigned.
She has been supported by Independent Senator Sharon Keogan.
As a former gene pool independent, Ms Toole could be approached as a potential backer.
