The republican party is set to get around 19% of the first preference votes cast across the Republic, a drop of 5.5% in the share compared to the last general election almost five years ago. In that February 2020 contest,

Sinn Fein has won Ireland’s election, according to exit polls on Friday night, but looks certain to be shut out of power by its rivals after failing to get enough votes to enter government for the first time.

Counting has begun in the Irish general election, as exit polls suggest a close contest between the three major parties.