The second day of counting in the 2020 General Election is nearing its conclusion with nearly all seats filled in constituencies nationwide.
There were some significant developments today as thoughts turn to the government formation of the 33rd Dáil.
Counting has been completed in 36 of 39 constituencies with Sinn Féin receiving 24.5% of first preference votes.
The final results in Wicklow, Cavan - Monaghan and Sligo - Leitrim have yet to be revealed.
Here are some of the highlights from day two of GE2020.
Katherine Zappone among well-known faces to lose seats
There were several high-profile losses today as several well-known candidates failed to be elected as TDs.
Independent candidate and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone lost her seat in Dublin South-West this evening, as did Junior Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran in Longford-Westmeath.
Other big-name casualties today were Fianna Fáil's Timmy Dooley in Clare, fellow party member Lisa Chambers in Mayo, Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher in Donegal and Fine Gael Junior Minister Michael D'Arcy who lost his seat in Wexford.
Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone, who’s lost her seat in #DublinSouthWest , says she now plans to bow out of Irish politics #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/3ec9ZHE7Fv
— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) February 10, 2020
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Mary Lou McDonald: 'It would be a mighty thing to have a Sinn Féin Taoiseach'
The Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the idea of a rotating Taoiseach would have to be a part of any government formation talks.
Ms McDonald said she is beginning the process of trying to form a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil as her Ard Comhairle meets tonight.
Speaking to the media, she said: "For what it's worth, I think it would be a mighty thing to have a Sinn Féin Taoiseach, and also a woman in the job, but you might say 'she would say that, wouldn't she'."
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Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane defends saying 'Up the Ra' during speech
Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane said he would never distance himself from the IRA amid controversy over comments he made following his election.
Mr Cullinane addressed his supporters during a celebration event in the constituency yesterday, shouting 'Up the Republic, Up the Ra, Tiochfaidh ár Lá' at the end of his victory speech.
Speaking this evening, he defended his comments and said he didn't mean to cause offence.
Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane explains his comments at a celebration last night where he said “up the Ra” #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/tpOxf3mQ3o
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) February 10, 2020
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A look at the new faces elected to the Dáil
As counting edges towards a conclusion in the General Election, the makeup of the next Dáil is becoming clearer.
Several new faces will be included in the 33rd Dáil from parties across the political spectrum.
Among them are former inter-county football player Alan Dillon in Mayo for Fine Gael, 22-year-old Cork East TD for Fianna Fáil James O'Connor, and several new Sinn Féin TDs due to the party's 14-seat gain.
