Fianna Fáil is doing 'far better than predicted' in the local elections and will likely take over 20% of the vote, the Tánaiste has said.
Counting is underway around the country with tallies showing Independent candidates doing well.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are doing much better than many predicted in the locals and will in fact battle each other to emerge as the biggest party.
The Green Party is also doing better than expected in the locals but their two MEPs - Ciaran Cuffe and Grace O'Sullivan - are facing a fight to retain their seats in Brussels.
Sinn Féin does not look like it is going to make the big gains some predicted.
Staff counting ballot papers for the local and European elections in the RDS in Dublin, 8-6-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ieSpeaking from Cork City Hall, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said his party is doing better than polls suggested.
"They're tallies at the moment but clearly Fianna Fáil is doing far better than predicted," he said.
"The idea that Fianna Fáil would be coming in a distant third is completely disproven.
"I've been looking at opinion polls now for the last three years, this internet panel polling having Fianna Fáil at 14% and 15%.
"Clearly Fianna Fáil will be well ahead of that and will be over 20% by the time all of these counts are collated and put together".
Fianna Fáil 'holding our own'
The Tánaiste said Fianna Fáil is looking stronger than it was in the last general election.
"We've put up a very robust performance and we're holding our own compared to our performance in the General Election of 2020," he said.
"We've had a great result here in Cork so far it seems from the tallies; although an awful lot will be determined by the transfers and by the later counts".
Mr Martin said he expects the party to take a European Parliament seat in the Midlands North-West tomorrow.
"It looks on the European front that we will gain at least one seat tomorrow in Midlands North-West for the first time in 15 years," he said.
"Certainly we're in for long nights all over the country.
"I think we're in a good position for the next general election now as a result of these results".
He added that he believes the current coalition Government will go "full term" into February or March next year.
