Sinn Féin (21.1 per cent), Fine Gael (21 per cent) and Fianna Fáil (19.5 per cent) are virtually neck-and-neck in terms of first-preference votes in the general election, according to an exit poll.
The Social Democrats are on 5.8 per cent of first-preference votes, followed by Labour (5 per cent) and the Green Party (4 per cent).
Elsewhere, the exit poll showed: Aontú (3.6 per cent), People Before Profit-Solidarity (3.1 per cent) and Independent Ireland (2.2 per cent).
Independents and other candidates were on 14.6 per cent.
There is a margin of error of 1.4 per cent.
The survey, commissioned by The Irish Times, RTÉ, TG4 and Trinity College Dublin and carried out by Ipsos B&A, gives the first clear indication of the outcome of the election.
The exit poll is based on about 5,000 interviews conducted with voters immediately after voting in the 43 constituencies across the country.
The interviews were very short, self-administered and conducted in private to mimic the voting experience, as closely as possible.
Over the weekend more detailed results will be released. These will include what were the most important issues for voters as they cast their vote and attitudinal and policy questions. This will provide a much more detailed picture of the mood and profile of the electorate.
Sinn Féin’s director of elections Matt Carthy hailed his party’s performance.
He said it marked a significant turnaround from the party’s disappointing showing in June’s local and European elections.
“When you consider where we would have been coming out of the local and European elections, I have to say it’s a phenomenal result,” Mr Carthy told RTÉ.
He added: “We do recall that in 2020 the exit poll actually undershot Sinn Fein to the tune of 2 per cent-plus. So if that was to transpire tomorrow morning, there is every chance that Sinn Fein will emerge from these elections as the largest political party.”
Mr Carthy would not be drawn on what the exit poll might mean for coalition formation.
“This is a hugely positive exit poll but the real votes will be counted tomorrow, so let’s see where they land,” he said.
The polls opened at 7am and closed at 10pm on Friday, with a total of 174 seats in the Dáil to be filled – more than ever before.
More than 3 million registered voters picked their representatives across 43 constituencies, in a campaign that has focused on the housing crisis, the response to a dramatic increase in immigration, and economic management for the cost of living as well as potential future trade shocks.
