A hung Dáil was the post-election scenario following the failure of FF and the Progressive Democrats to win a majority. Bertie Ahern needed the support of at least two of the seven Independents if he was to be elected Taoiseach of a minority FF/PD government. Soon, negotiations started with the Independents, who held the balance of power, and three of them - Healy-Rae, Mildred Fox and Harry Blaney – agreed to a deal to back Ahern and so help form a FF/PD administration. Despite the occasional hiccup, the support of these Independents, all of whom came from the FF gene pool, was seen as sufficient to ensure the stability of the new government which was to last full term. The next election was not held until 2002. In his maiden speech to the Dáil, Jackie made it clear he was not to be taken for granted and that his main priority was representing the people of South Kerry. "Don’t write me off. I’m warning ye," he told the assembled deputies when the Dáil came together on June 26, 1997. The three Independents all said they had no intention of going back to FF and indicated their satisfaction with assurances they had received from Mr Ahern. In other words, as long as he took care of their concerns they would continue to back him. And so it was.