It’s been a disappointing election so far for everyone but the Green Party.
The Green Wave has been particularly strong in Dublin as climate-conscious voters make their voices felt.
This lunchtime, tallies are still going across the country with no results expected for a number of hours yet.
The Green Party surge is the big story, Ciaran Cuffe in Dublin is outstripping his rivals by 2 to 1 in some European boxes while Saoirse McHugh and Grace O’Sullivan are on course for seats.
Big questions for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil though. Fianna Fáil won’t get a seat in Midlands North West having got just 9 percent of the vote between two candidates.
The Red C exit poll shows Brendan Smith got 0 percent among 18-24-year-olds. While the same age group in Dublin voted 42 percent in favour of the Green Party – showing a clear age trend.
Fine Gael also look likely to lose Deirdre Clune’s seat in Ireland South. In the local elections, it’s a poor showing for the two main parties and Sinn Féin in Dublin.
More support for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in the rest of the country – but seat losses are likely for both parties.
