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| Ireland general election: exit polls show coalition losing majority – live | Ireland general election: exit polls show coalition losing majority – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.19am GMT | |
| 10:19 | |
| An early front runner in the constituency of Dublin Central is Sinn Fein’s vice president, Mary Lou McDonald, who is on 22% of the vote after the opening of 16% of ballot boxes. | |
| 10.14am GMT | |
| 10:14 | |
| A prediction by Fine Gael’s general secretary, Tom Curran, who says that the party may lose up to 20 seats and fall well below 50 if the exit polls are correct. | |
| 10.11am GMT | |
| 10:11 | |
| So let’s zero in on one of the constituencies now, that of the Tanaiste (deputy Irish prime minister) Joan Burton, who was expected to face a struggle to hold on to her seat. | |
| With 10% of ballot boxes open in the Dublin west constituency, she appears to be holding up for now: | |
| 10.02am GMT | |
| 10:02 | |
| Is there an appetite for yet another election. Recent polling suggests it might be the most favoured option of the electorate | |
| As Dan O’Brien, the Dublin-based chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, tweets: | |
| 1/2 What will voters want now that there is a hung Dail? @TheSundayIndo/MB found a 2nd election most favoured (33%) pic.twitter.com/U8FkK2pRcU | |
| 9.59am GMT | |
| 09:59 | |
| Both of Ireland’s Coalition parties will be deeply disappointed by the results of last night’s exit poll from the Irish Time (and also with this morning’s one from RTE), writes the veteran Irish Times political commentator, Stephen Collins. | |
| He adds: | |
| By contrast, Fianna Fáil has exceeded the expectations it had at the start of the campaign. Party leader Micheál Martin had the best campaign of any party leader and his message of fairness resonated with a wide swathe of the electorate. | |
| That Fianna Fáil has narrowed the gap with Fine Gael to just over three percentage points just five years after the greatest disaster in the party’s history indicates how resilient it is. | |
| 9.26am GMT | 9.26am GMT |
| 09:26 | 09:26 |
| Henry McDonald | Henry McDonald |
| Some more analysis now of the backdrop to today’s results, courtesy of the Guardian’s Henry McDonald: | Some more analysis now of the backdrop to today’s results, courtesy of the Guardian’s Henry McDonald: |
| The outgoing Fine Gael-Labour coalition was elected back in 2011 on a landslide with the biggest ever parliamentary majority since Ireland gained independence from Britain. | The outgoing Fine Gael-Labour coalition was elected back in 2011 on a landslide with the biggest ever parliamentary majority since Ireland gained independence from Britain. |
| After three successive terms for Fianna Fail the Republic’s electorate appeared to have ushered in a political revolution five years ago. | After three successive terms for Fianna Fail the Republic’s electorate appeared to have ushered in a political revolution five years ago. |
| Anger over the way Fianna Fail had been seen to mismanage the economy and lose economic sovereignty, resulted in Fine Gael returning with 76 seats while Labour came back into the Dail with 33. | Anger over the way Fianna Fail had been seen to mismanage the economy and lose economic sovereignty, resulted in Fine Gael returning with 76 seats while Labour came back into the Dail with 33. |
| So how come five years on the two parties whose lead looked unassailable at the start of this government have failed so miserably to secure a second term? | So how come five years on the two parties whose lead looked unassailable at the start of this government have failed so miserably to secure a second term? |
| Part of the reason lies in the unpleasant austerity medicine the Fine Gael-Labour coalition had to administer in the coalition’s early years.After the fiscal crash and the arrival of the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank to macro-manage Irish economic affairs the cupboard was almost bare. | Part of the reason lies in the unpleasant austerity medicine the Fine Gael-Labour coalition had to administer in the coalition’s early years.After the fiscal crash and the arrival of the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank to macro-manage Irish economic affairs the cupboard was almost bare. |
| The new government had to plug a multi-billion euro gap in the nation’s finances and did so by raising taxes and cutting public spending. Like a certain female prime minister across the Irish Sea in the 1980s, Fine Gael might argue that the medicine worked and no matter how unpleasant to swallow has turned the economy around. | The new government had to plug a multi-billion euro gap in the nation’s finances and did so by raising taxes and cutting public spending. Like a certain female prime minister across the Irish Sea in the 1980s, Fine Gael might argue that the medicine worked and no matter how unpleasant to swallow has turned the economy around. |
| Ireland is enjoying 7 per cent growth and more than 120,000 jobs have been created in the government’s lifetime. Many Irish voters however clearly thought that the treatment was not only too harsh - cuts, taxes, new water charges - but also unfair. | Ireland is enjoying 7 per cent growth and more than 120,000 jobs have been created in the government’s lifetime. Many Irish voters however clearly thought that the treatment was not only too harsh - cuts, taxes, new water charges - but also unfair. |
| They saw bankers blamed for over-borrowing to equally rapacious property speculators avoiding jail while those living on low incomes who could not or would pay for water charges being imprisoned. | They saw bankers blamed for over-borrowing to equally rapacious property speculators avoiding jail while those living on low incomes who could not or would pay for water charges being imprisoned. |
| For much of the electorate the distribution of the pain as Ireland bowed to IMF-ECB demands and drove down the national debt was loaded in the wrong direction. | For much of the electorate the distribution of the pain as Ireland bowed to IMF-ECB demands and drove down the national debt was loaded in the wrong direction. |
| Hence the huge and widely spread protest vote for a disparate range of parties from Sinn Fein to the far left to non-aligned local issue based independents. However, the greatest paradox of this election, if the two exit polls reflect the 1st preference voting patterns, is the comeback of Fianna Fail. | Hence the huge and widely spread protest vote for a disparate range of parties from Sinn Fein to the far left to non-aligned local issue based independents. However, the greatest paradox of this election, if the two exit polls reflect the 1st preference voting patterns, is the comeback of Fianna Fail. |
| There’s going to be some short radio silence now while I locate to a good vantage point inside the RDS conference centre. Stay tuned... | There’s going to be some short radio silence now while I locate to a good vantage point inside the RDS conference centre. Stay tuned... |
| 9.20am GMT | 9.20am GMT |
| 09:20 | 09:20 |
| New details are being released from RTE’s exit polling, this time providing some detail on how Irish voters are casting their second preference votes. | New details are being released from RTE’s exit polling, this time providing some detail on how Irish voters are casting their second preference votes. |
| 2nd prefs from RTE Exit Poll: FG 26.2 Lab 7.4 FF18.1 SF 10.2 AAA 5.5 Ren 2.5 SD 2.8 GP 3.5 Ind All 3.9 Ind 10.9 Oth 2.8 #ge16 | 2nd prefs from RTE Exit Poll: FG 26.2 Lab 7.4 FF18.1 SF 10.2 AAA 5.5 Ren 2.5 SD 2.8 GP 3.5 Ind All 3.9 Ind 10.9 Oth 2.8 #ge16 |
| A particular trend being noted by commentators is how Sinn Fein support in second preferences is significantly back on their support from first preferences, which had been 16%. | A particular trend being noted by commentators is how Sinn Fein support in second preferences is significantly back on their support from first preferences, which had been 16%. |
| One takeaway? The party might yet be struggling to throw off a toxicity in the eyes of many voters in the Republic of Ireland after years of strife in Northern Ireland. | One takeaway? The party might yet be struggling to throw off a toxicity in the eyes of many voters in the Republic of Ireland after years of strife in Northern Ireland. |
| 9.08am GMT | 9.08am GMT |
| 09:08 | 09:08 |
| ...aaaan they’re off | ...aaaan they’re off |
| Boxes are open and counting has started!!! pic.twitter.com/UtH32klMNH | Boxes are open and counting has started!!! pic.twitter.com/UtH32klMNH |
| Boxes open here in Phibblestown for Dublin West. Hoping we have indication of results by 12 @IrishTimes pic.twitter.com/Y3HN3yIPpp | Boxes open here in Phibblestown for Dublin West. Hoping we have indication of results by 12 @IrishTimes pic.twitter.com/Y3HN3yIPpp |
| 8.54am GMT | 8.54am GMT |
| 08:54 | 08:54 |
| They’re preparing to open the first ballot boxes. Here are some of the scenes inside Dublin’s RDS conference centre, where a range of Dublin constituencies will be counted: | They’re preparing to open the first ballot boxes. Here are some of the scenes inside Dublin’s RDS conference centre, where a range of Dublin constituencies will be counted: |
| Padlocks coming off ballot boxes at RDS #GE16 pic.twitter.com/ixJeAwKWo2 | Padlocks coming off ballot boxes at RDS #GE16 pic.twitter.com/ixJeAwKWo2 |
| Boxes ready to be opened in less than an hour at the RDS #ge16 @rtenews pic.twitter.com/Q6oAt5t0k5 | Boxes ready to be opened in less than an hour at the RDS #ge16 @rtenews pic.twitter.com/Q6oAt5t0k5 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.55am GMT | at 8.55am GMT |
| 8.50am GMT | 8.50am GMT |
| 08:50 | 08:50 |
| Discussing the exit polls, someone on Irish radio has already mouthed that WB Yeats line: “A terrible beauty is born.” | Discussing the exit polls, someone on Irish radio has already mouthed that WB Yeats line: “A terrible beauty is born.” |
| We’ll see over the course of today (and tomorrow.. and potentially next week...), but for now, a former government minister is among those suggesting that the previously unthinkable really might be on the cards | We’ll see over the course of today (and tomorrow.. and potentially next week...), but for now, a former government minister is among those suggesting that the previously unthinkable really might be on the cards |
| “It seems to me know that the only working arrangement is one between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael,” said Michael McDowell, a former justice minister and member of a now defunct right of centre party, the Progressive Democrats. | “It seems to me know that the only working arrangement is one between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael,” said Michael McDowell, a former justice minister and member of a now defunct right of centre party, the Progressive Democrats. |
| “If that is what is coming that is the international norm.” | “If that is what is coming that is the international norm.” |
| 8.43am GMT | 8.43am GMT |
| 08:43 | 08:43 |
| More now on possible scenarios. If the exit polls are accurate, and with Ireland’s unpredictable PR election system based on multi-seat constituencies, a number of different outcomes are entirely possible now. | More now on possible scenarios. If the exit polls are accurate, and with Ireland’s unpredictable PR election system based on multi-seat constituencies, a number of different outcomes are entirely possible now. |
| The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, Henry McDonald, sketches out the following: | The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, Henry McDonald, sketches out the following: |
| • The entire election result is not over until the middle of next week. Irish elections are notorious for recounts which thanks to a Dublin Supreme Court ruling are now enshrined in law, ie. everyone has constitutional right to demand one. | • The entire election result is not over until the middle of next week. Irish elections are notorious for recounts which thanks to a Dublin Supreme Court ruling are now enshrined in law, ie. everyone has constitutional right to demand one. |
| • The Dail (Irish parliament) meets in early March but is unable to elect a Taoiseach paving the way for another election soon. | • The Dail (Irish parliament) meets in early March but is unable to elect a Taoiseach paving the way for another election soon. |
| • The annual St.Patrick’s Day visit by the Irish Premier is cancelled because there is no Taoiseach. Maybe President Higgins will have to fill the gap. | • The annual St.Patrick’s Day visit by the Irish Premier is cancelled because there is no Taoiseach. Maybe President Higgins will have to fill the gap. |
| • An ‘interim’ Taoiseach will have to be chosen to take the salute from the podium as thousands march past the General Post Office on Easter Sunday 2016, during the national commemoration for the centenary of the Easter Rising against British rule. | • An ‘interim’ Taoiseach will have to be chosen to take the salute from the podium as thousands march past the General Post Office on Easter Sunday 2016, during the national commemoration for the centenary of the Easter Rising against British rule. |
| • After Easter is over plans are put in place to hold a second general election. | • After Easter is over plans are put in place to hold a second general election. |
| • The only alternative to the above is for a ‘grand coalition’ between old rivals Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, which would in effect bury the politics of the Irish Civil War at long lost finally uniting in government the two parties founded by Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera (below). | • The only alternative to the above is for a ‘grand coalition’ between old rivals Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, which would in effect bury the politics of the Irish Civil War at long lost finally uniting in government the two parties founded by Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera (below). |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.52am GMT | at 8.52am GMT |
| 8.35am GMT | 8.35am GMT |
| 08:35 | 08:35 |
| So what happens now? Well, much chatter is already focusing on the possibility of a grand coalition between Ireland’s two centrist, sometimes right of centre, christian democratic parties: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. | So what happens now? Well, much chatter is already focusing on the possibility of a grand coalition between Ireland’s two centrist, sometimes right of centre, christian democratic parties: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. |
| Different figures from RTE but same result. FG-Lab coalition crushed. Rise of independents and a grand coalition/hung Dail. #GE16 | Different figures from RTE but same result. FG-Lab coalition crushed. Rise of independents and a grand coalition/hung Dail. #GE16 |
| Don’t be quick to assume that will happen though, for a range of reasons. Perhaps it may take a slightly different form however: | Don’t be quick to assume that will happen though, for a range of reasons. Perhaps it may take a slightly different form however: |
| FF supporting a minority FG government would be political suicide for a party emerging from intensive care. Coalition a different matter, | FF supporting a minority FG government would be political suicide for a party emerging from intensive care. Coalition a different matter, |
| The prospect of Sinn Fein becoming the main opposition party is also likely to be a potentially major brake on Fianna Fail and Fine Gael burying their long-held difference. | The prospect of Sinn Fein becoming the main opposition party is also likely to be a potentially major brake on Fianna Fail and Fine Gael burying their long-held difference. |
| If FG & FF form unity government, SF wld be v happy to become biggest opposition in Dail, a prospect which will give FG/FF pause for thought | If FG & FF form unity government, SF wld be v happy to become biggest opposition in Dail, a prospect which will give FG/FF pause for thought |
| .. and, while ideological differences between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael may be wafer thin at the moment, there’s also the fact of good old fashioned personal enmity... and trust. | .. and, while ideological differences between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael may be wafer thin at the moment, there’s also the fact of good old fashioned personal enmity... and trust. |
| Here’s an FG minister, Leo Varadkar, speaking to the Guardian recently on the question of historical differences dating back to Ireland’s civil war being buried: | Here’s an FG minister, Leo Varadkar, speaking to the Guardian recently on the question of historical differences dating back to Ireland’s civil war being buried: |
| It’s not about the civil war, the civil war is over a long time and I don’t particularly come from a traditional Fine Gael background. | It’s not about the civil war, the civil war is over a long time and I don’t particularly come from a traditional Fine Gael background. |
| It’s a mistake to think its still about the civil war because it’s actually about trust and we just don’t trust them [Fianna Fáil], | It’s a mistake to think its still about the civil war because it’s actually about trust and we just don’t trust them [Fianna Fáil], |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.37am GMT | at 8.37am GMT |
| 8.21am GMT | 8.21am GMT |
| 08:21 | 08:21 |
| Here are the results of the exit poll from RTE, published this morning: | Here are the results of the exit poll from RTE, published this morning: |
| 8.05am GMT | 8.05am GMT |
| 08:05 | 08:05 |
| So we have two major exit polls to work from for now. An MRBI poll for the Irish Times published on Friday night found : | So we have two major exit polls to work from for now. An MRBI poll for the Irish Times published on Friday night found : |
| Be warned however. The above is based on first preference votes cast using Ireland’s somewhat unusual voting process, a form of proportional representation known as the single transferable vote system. It might be complex, but if anything, it can generate drama of the highest order on a day like today. | Be warned however. The above is based on first preference votes cast using Ireland’s somewhat unusual voting process, a form of proportional representation known as the single transferable vote system. It might be complex, but if anything, it can generate drama of the highest order on a day like today. |
| For those coming afresh to this election, you might want to read the Guardian briefing by Ireland Correspondent Henry McDonald: | For those coming afresh to this election, you might want to read the Guardian briefing by Ireland Correspondent Henry McDonald: |
| Related: Ireland's general election – the Guardian briefing | Related: Ireland's general election – the Guardian briefing |
| 7.57am GMT | 7.57am GMT |
| 07:57 | 07:57 |
| Exit polls: coalition government support slumps | Exit polls: coalition government support slumps |
| Henry McDonald | Henry McDonald |
| After waging a campaign for re-election on the basis of their stewardship of an economy shattered by an economic collapse, exit polls suggest that Ireland’s governing coalition has suffered a significant loss in support. | After waging a campaign for re-election on the basis of their stewardship of an economy shattered by an economic collapse, exit polls suggest that Ireland’s governing coalition has suffered a significant loss in support. |
| The Guardian’s Ireland Correspondent, Henry McDonald reports on how voters may be asked to return to the polls much sooner than expected: | The Guardian’s Ireland Correspondent, Henry McDonald reports on how voters may be asked to return to the polls much sooner than expected: |
| Ireland may be facing a second general election as an exit poll from one of the country’s most reputed media organisations has found that the Fine Gael-Labour coalition has fallen far short of a working majority. | Ireland may be facing a second general election as an exit poll from one of the country’s most reputed media organisations has found that the Fine Gael-Labour coalition has fallen far short of a working majority. |
| An Irish Times/MRBI exit poll released tonight has found the ruling Fine Gael party is less than four per cent ahead of the main opposition force Fianna Fail. | An Irish Times/MRBI exit poll released tonight has found the ruling Fine Gael party is less than four per cent ahead of the main opposition force Fianna Fail. |
| According to the results of the poll taken among a sample of more than 5,000 voters outside 200 polling stations across the Republic on Friday, Fine Gael has 26.1 per cent of first preference votes. | According to the results of the poll taken among a sample of more than 5,000 voters outside 200 polling stations across the Republic on Friday, Fine Gael has 26.1 per cent of first preference votes. |
| The exit poll shows a considerable gain for Fianna Fail who are on 22.9 per cent. Sinn Fein meanwhile has gained four points from its 10 per cent performance in the 2001 general election. | The exit poll shows a considerable gain for Fianna Fail who are on 22.9 per cent. Sinn Fein meanwhile has gained four points from its 10 per cent performance in the 2001 general election. |
| Labour - Fine Gael’s partners in government for the last five years - are on 7.8 per cent, the exit poll reveals. | Labour - Fine Gael’s partners in government for the last five years - are on 7.8 per cent, the exit poll reveals. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.51am GMT | at 8.51am GMT |
| 7.52am GMT | 7.52am GMT |
| 07:52 | 07:52 |
| Opening summary | Opening summary |
| Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s liveblog on the outcome of Ireland’s general election from here in Dublin. | Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s liveblog on the outcome of Ireland’s general election from here in Dublin. |
| Already, early indications are that Ireland and Irish politics have entered uncharted territory with two major exit polls showing a major slump in support for the outgoing coalition partners - the larger right of centre party, Fine Gael, and its left of centre partner, Labour. | Already, early indications are that Ireland and Irish politics have entered uncharted territory with two major exit polls showing a major slump in support for the outgoing coalition partners - the larger right of centre party, Fine Gael, and its left of centre partner, Labour. |
| Gains have been made by made by Fianna Fáil, the party which had led the government at the time of Ireland’s 2008 economic crash and which has been rebuilding itself, as well as Sinn Féin, which has been hoping to make a major breakthrough in the Republic on the back of an anti-austerity platform. | Gains have been made by made by Fianna Fáil, the party which had led the government at the time of Ireland’s 2008 economic crash and which has been rebuilding itself, as well as Sinn Féin, which has been hoping to make a major breakthrough in the Republic on the back of an anti-austerity platform. |
| However, the building blocks for a new government are scattered, with the country predicted to be heading for a hung parliament. | However, the building blocks for a new government are scattered, with the country predicted to be heading for a hung parliament. |
| As with other recent elections, the big winners appear to be a collection of independents and smaller parties. That’s on the basis of two exit polls, one for the Irish Times and one for the state broadcaster RTE. | As with other recent elections, the big winners appear to be a collection of independents and smaller parties. That’s on the basis of two exit polls, one for the Irish Times and one for the state broadcaster RTE. |
| I’m Ben Quinn and I’ll be bringing you updates as results come in throughout the day from around the country. With me will be the Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, Henry McDonald, who will be filing reports and analysis. You can follow us on Twitter at @BenQuinn75 and @henry_mcdonald. | I’m Ben Quinn and I’ll be bringing you updates as results come in throughout the day from around the country. With me will be the Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, Henry McDonald, who will be filing reports and analysis. You can follow us on Twitter at @BenQuinn75 and @henry_mcdonald. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.23am GMT | at 8.23am GMT |