The two Civil War parties are in pole position to once again form the core of the next coalition. Tallies suggest that Fianna Fáil could return with the highest share of first-preference votes, followed by Fine Gael in second and Sinn Féin in third, in a reversal of Friday night’s exit poll.

The selection by Fine Gael of Senator John McGahon in Louth has also dogged the Taoiseach’s campaign. Mr McGahon was found not guilty of assaulting a man outside a Dundalk nightclub in a criminal case two years ago, but a civil action earlier this year found him liable and he was ordered to pay damages.