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Tallies predict upset for some ministers in Irish election Micheál Martin first party leader to be re-elected
(about 1 hour later)
Counting will start across the Republic of Ireland at 09:00 local time
Micheál Martin is the first of the main party leaders to be re-elected in the Irish general election.Micheál Martin is the first of the main party leaders to be re-elected in the Irish general election.
The Fianna Fáil leader topped the poll in the Cork South Central constituency.The Fianna Fáil leader topped the poll in the Cork South Central constituency.
Exit polls suggest a close contest between the three major parties.Exit polls suggest a close contest between the three major parties.
Figures show Sinn Féin slightly ahead of both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in first preference votes.Figures show Sinn Féin slightly ahead of both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in first preference votes.
Early tallies predict that some government ministers may struggle to retain their seats.Early tallies predict that some government ministers may struggle to retain their seats.
You can follow live results here.
A record number of 174 Teachtaí Dála (TDs) are set to be elected, up from 160 in 2020 following a constituency shake-up.A record number of 174 Teachtaí Dála (TDs) are set to be elected, up from 160 in 2020 following a constituency shake-up.
There are now 43 Dáil constituencies (up from 39 in 2020) which will elect between three and five TDs each.There are now 43 Dáil constituencies (up from 39 in 2020) which will elect between three and five TDs each.
One seat in the Dáil goes to the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker), so 88 TDs is the number required for an overall majority.One seat in the Dáil goes to the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker), so 88 TDs is the number required for an overall majority.
The counting of votes at more than 40 centres across the Republic began at 09:00 local time.The counting of votes at more than 40 centres across the Republic began at 09:00 local time.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and deputy Michelle O'Neill arrive at the count at the RDS in DublinSinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and deputy Michelle O'Neill arrive at the count at the RDS in Dublin
Sinn Féin has polled well so far but less clear is how it will use that support to enter government.Sinn Féin has polled well so far but less clear is how it will use that support to enter government.
Judging by the early tallies Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are best placed to return to the government benches and may between them end up with between 75 and 80 just short of the 88 needed to secure a majority.Judging by the early tallies Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are best placed to return to the government benches and may between them end up with between 75 and 80 just short of the 88 needed to secure a majority.
Both parties have ruled out sharing power with Sinn Féin.Both parties have ruled out sharing power with Sinn Féin.
That leaves Mary Lou McDonald contemplating other options including the possibility of a minority government with other left leaning parties and some independent TDs.That leaves Mary Lou McDonald contemplating other options including the possibility of a minority government with other left leaning parties and some independent TDs.
Ms McDonald told BBC News that there "isn’t a straightforward pathway" to forming a government for any party. McDonald told BBC News that there "isn’t a straightforward pathway" to forming a government for any party, adding that it looks like a "close race" and insisted her party had received a "game changing and historic mandate".
"It looks like it will be close enough between the three larger parties, and there are a lot of conversations that have to be had across parties," she said. She said she will do everything she can to explore "all the possibilities" for forming a government and that there "isn't a straightforward path" for any party.
Emerging trends Asked about plans for a referendum on Irish unity, she said: "We're at a stage where we need to talk about preparation for a referendum on constitutional change" and that there is an "immediacy and urgency for that conversation to happen".
BBC News NI's Aoife Moore in Dublin She also said "no Irish or British government can bury their head in the sand" over the issue.
Early tallies are predicting an upset for some government ministers. She also said she's had many conversations with Sir Keir Starmer and that the Prime Minister is "well aware of my thinking".
Health had been a hot topic in the election campaign as waiting lists continue to rise. Anti-establishment campaigning
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Simon Harris is in the same constituency and led the way in early tallies. McDonald is just under the quota in her Dublin Central constituency.
In Dublin Mid-West, Minister for Children, the Green Party's Roderic O'Gorman, is in trouble at this early stage. It is expected that she will pass the quota and top the poll, but there is speculation that some Sinn Féin votes have gone to independent candidate Gerry Hutch.
Speaking to RTÉ's Six One News, O'Gorman said the result is "disappointing", but added that his party will "start the rebuild next week". The result raises questions into why Gerry Hutch's anti-establishment campaigning played better with voters than Sinn Fein's.
O'Gorman had been put in the unenviable position of having responsibility for asylum seeker integration and accommodation - something the current government struggled to get a handle on amid a misinformation campaign from the far right and lack of available beds for refugees.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is likely to take the first seat in the Dublin Central constituency.
Social Democrat Gary Gannon and Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe also look safe in their seats.
The final seat looks likely to be a close race between the Labour Party senator Marie Sherlock and Independent candidate Gerard Hutch.
Hutch, also known at The Monk, was cleared of murdering a man during a boxing weigh-in at a Dublin hotel in 2016.Hutch, also known at The Monk, was cleared of murdering a man during a boxing weigh-in at a Dublin hotel in 2016.
Earlier this month, he was released on bail from custody in Spain.Earlier this month, he was released on bail from custody in Spain.
Hutch was one of nine people arrested in Spain as part of a joint international investigation between the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Guardia Civil into money laundering by the Hutch Organised Crime Group.Hutch was one of nine people arrested in Spain as part of a joint international investigation between the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Guardia Civil into money laundering by the Hutch Organised Crime Group.
What did Friday's exit poll say? Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris speaks to the media as he arrives at the election count centre in Wicklow
The exit poll shows a three-way race between the biggest parties Speaking to RTÉ News, Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said he is “really grateful” to those who have voted for him, but added that it is “too close to call” how many seats Fine Gael will secure.
The figures, published at 22:00 local time, indicated that Sinn Féin has 21.1% of first preference votes, with Fine Gael having 21% and Fianna Fáil sitting in third with 19.5%. “As I’ve been saying for many weeks, in any Irish election it’s quite straightforward to pick where the first or second or maybe even where the third seat might go in a constituency but trying to call the last or the second last seat is something that even Mystic Meg can struggle with,” Harris said.
It also suggested that 20% of the second preference votes goes to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, with Sinn Féin at 17%. He said this will be a "tight" election.
The exit poll was carried out by Ipsos B&A for RTÉ, The Irish Times, TG4 and Trinity College Dublin and was based on 5,018 completed interviews outside polling stations. Harris declined to speculate on who he would like to enter a coalition with, saying "there will be plenty of time for that I assure you in the days and weeks ahead".
It has a margin of error of 1.4%.
Analysis by Enda McClafferty, BBC News NI political editor
If the exit poll is right, Sinn Féin is on course to win the popular vote for the second general election in a row.
But just like in 2020 it has no clear path to power.
The outgoing coalition partners Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are well-placed to have the numbers needed to return to the government benches with the support of a smaller party.
If the polls are correct the pair could return with between 75 and 80 seats which will leave them just short of the 88 needed for an overall majority.
Sinn Féin will hope it performs better than the poll suggests, as it did in 2020.
But it may not be enough to form the coalition of left-leaning parties excluding Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
How the votes will be countedHow the votes will be counted
The Republic of Ireland elects its government using a system of proportional representation known as the single transferable vote.The Republic of Ireland elects its government using a system of proportional representation known as the single transferable vote.
Voters rank candidates in their constituency in order of preference and candidates have to reach a certain number of votes in order to be elected.Voters rank candidates in their constituency in order of preference and candidates have to reach a certain number of votes in order to be elected.
Counting the ballots takes place in multiple rounds.Counting the ballots takes place in multiple rounds.
Each ballot is initially credited to the first choice.Each ballot is initially credited to the first choice.
Once a candidate receives the number of votes required, they are elected and any remaining ballots that are marked with them as first choice are transferred to the second ranked preferences.Once a candidate receives the number of votes required, they are elected and any remaining ballots that are marked with them as first choice are transferred to the second ranked preferences.
Ballots continue to be transferred to the next usable preference until all of the seats in the constituency are filled with candidates who have reached the quota.Ballots continue to be transferred to the next usable preference until all of the seats in the constituency are filled with candidates who have reached the quota.
Read more: How the Republic of Ireland will elect its next parliamentRead more: How the Republic of Ireland will elect its next parliament
Once all the seats are filled, the next phase of the process will begin, the task of forming a new government.Once all the seats are filled, the next phase of the process will begin, the task of forming a new government.
When will the results be known?When will the results be known?
Due to the voting system, counting can sometimes last multiple days, and forming a government can take even longer.Due to the voting system, counting can sometimes last multiple days, and forming a government can take even longer.
It took four months after the last general election in 2020 before Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Green Party reached a deal to form a government.It took four months after the last general election in 2020 before Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Green Party reached a deal to form a government.
Sinn Féin became the leading opposition party, and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have both already ruled them out as a potential coalition partner.Sinn Féin became the leading opposition party, and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have both already ruled them out as a potential coalition partner.
The first meeting of the new Dáil (lower house of parliament) is on 18 December but it is unlikely coalition negotiations will have finished by then.The first meeting of the new Dáil (lower house of parliament) is on 18 December but it is unlikely coalition negotiations will have finished by then.
A government will be officially formed when the Dáil passes a vote to install a new Taoiseach (Irish prime minister), but this isn't expected to take place before 2025.A government will be officially formed when the Dáil passes a vote to install a new Taoiseach (Irish prime minister), but this isn't expected to take place before 2025.
There will be coverage of the election results on BBC Two NI at 18:00 GMT on Saturday and on BBC One NI on Sunday Politics at 10:00 GMT.
The BBC News NI website will be running a live page with the latest updates over the weekend.