With some analysts now predicting that Sinn Féin could win well over 40 seats, the party’s housing spokesperson says there is “absolutely” a path to power for them.
You can keep up to date with all the General Election results throughout the weekend through Newstalk’s live blog and video stream.
Speaking to Newstalk Eoin Ó Broin refused to make a prediction on how many seats the party will win – but said it looks to be “very, very good day out for the party”.
“I think it’s a reflection of the very positive campaign that we ran in every constituency in the State,” he said.
“I'm not going to give you a figure - no hostages to fortune at this time of the day - but certainly we're in a very positive position to become the largest party in the State.”
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Deputy Ó Broin said it was “never the case” that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were automatically going to be returned to power.
“Looking at a number of newspapers over the last few days, they were all but saying it was a certainty,” he said.
“Nothing is ever a certainty in electoral politics.
“Absolutely there's a path for power and Sinn Fein, from Monday or Tuesday when all the seats are in and votes are counted, we’ll be working very, very hard to form and deliver that Government of change.”
Deputy Ó Broin said during their canvassing it was clear that “people wanted to know” how Sinn Féin were “going to fix the various crises created by Fine Gael”.
“We've been saying this for the last two weeks out on the doors - particularly in the final two weeks of the campaign - people were talking about housing, healthcare, childcare, cost of living, special needs services, disability services,” he said.
“People wanted to know how we were going to fix those issues, how we were going to solve the various crises that have been created by Fine Gael.
“We always had a sense that if that was the election campaign, if that was both the debates on television and radio, but also crucially, the conversations on the doors, then we could convince more and more people."
Deputy Ó Broin said the conversations they had while canvassing are "clearly what has benefitted" the party.
Newstalk reporters will be at count centres around Ireland bringing you all the results as they come in.
We will also be running election specials throughout today and tomorrow, and you can follow all the action on our live blog and on our social channels.
Main image: Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin speaking to Newstalk. Image: Newstalk
