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Irish government hit in polls Irish government hit in polls
(10 minutes later)
The Republic of Ireland's governing party has had a big drop in support in the local elections and two Dublin by-elections, according to exit polls.The Republic of Ireland's governing party has had a big drop in support in the local elections and two Dublin by-elections, according to exit polls.
It is Brian Cowen's first election since he became Irish prime minister and Fianna Fail leader last year. It is Brian Cowen's first poll since he became PM and Fianna Fail leader.
Turnout was between 55% and 60% and an exit poll conducted by broadcaster RTE indicated significant losses for Fianna Fail on the last local election. An exit poll conducted by broadcaster RTE indicated FF will get 24% of the vote - eight points lower than in 2004.
It suggested FF will get 24% of the vote - eight points lower than in 2004. In the Dublin South by election, Fine Gael's George Lee, a former RTE economics editor, topped the poll with 53.4% of the first preference vote.
During the counting process in Dublin a woman who dropped her wedding ring into a ballot box had it returned to her. He said that it was "only a matter of time until there is a change in government".
Counting in the European elections will begin in the Irish Republic on Sunday. His party leader Enda Kenny said that it had been a historic day for his party with its largest share of the vote since 1932.
Fianna Fail's Shay Brennan, who stood unsuccessfully for the seat, said that the government was being punished by the electorate for the unpopular cost-cutting measures it was taking to tackle the economic downturn.
"I won't say disastrous there is evidently a protest vote against the government," he said.
Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said that Mr Cowen's leadership would not be challenged over the result and that they would work to tackle the impact of the downturn.Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said that Mr Cowen's leadership would not be challenged over the result and that they would work to tackle the impact of the downturn.
"The economic crisis is the single most important factor in these results," he said."The economic crisis is the single most important factor in these results," he said.
In the Dublin South by election, Fine Gael's George Lee looks set to be elected on the first count in Dublin South, with Fianna Fail's Shay Brennan likely to be pushed into third place behind Alex White of Labour.
Mr Lee, a former RTE economics editor, topped the poll with 53.4% of the first preference vote.
He said that it was "only a matter of time until there is a change in government", while his party leader Enda Kenny said that it had been a historic day for his party with its largest share of the vote since 1932.
Mr Brennan said that the government was being punished by the electorate for the unpopular cost-cutting measures it was taking to tackle the economic downturn.
"I won't say disastrous there is evidently a protest vote against the government," he said.
In Dublin Central, the contest appears to be between Independent Maureen O'Sullivan and Paschal Donohoe of Fine Gael, with Labour's Ivana Bacik in third place.In Dublin Central, the contest appears to be between Independent Maureen O'Sullivan and Paschal Donohoe of Fine Gael, with Labour's Ivana Bacik in third place.
During the counting process in Dublin a woman who dropped her wedding ring into a ballot box had it returned to her.
Counting in the European elections will begin in the Irish Republic on Sunday.
The Green Party, the junior partner in the Republic's coalition government is expected to lose a number of council seats.The Green Party, the junior partner in the Republic's coalition government is expected to lose a number of council seats.
BBC Northern Ireland Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison said Fianna Fail had been bracing itself for a backlash.BBC Northern Ireland Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison said Fianna Fail had been bracing itself for a backlash.
"The government parties, Fianna Fail and the Greens, are also expected to poll badly in the local elections where traditionally independents do well."The government parties, Fianna Fail and the Greens, are also expected to poll badly in the local elections where traditionally independents do well.
"Counting in the Europeans begins on Sunday, with a lot of attention focused on whether Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald can keep her Dublin seat.""Counting in the Europeans begins on Sunday, with a lot of attention focused on whether Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald can keep her Dublin seat."