Fine Gael TD Michael Ring has likened the European election ballot in the Midlands North-West constituency as being "like a toilet roll".
In total 27 candidates appeared on the ballot paper - meaning it was about 28 inches long.
Deputy Ring said the Midlands North-West counters have a job of work ahead.
"It might take a few days to get them elected and I hope that Midwest will have plenty of tea and coffee because there'll be here for a few days," he said.
"But we will get an indicator in the next six or seven hours and then the transfers are going to be crucial.
"It'll be a very good count."
A ballot paper in #MidlandsNW is 28 inches long or 73 centimetres.
If there’s around a 50% turnout in the constituency, that’s around 700,000 votes.
If you where to put all the ballot papers together length wise, that’s 511km… pic.twitter.com/Xa9rhyhwVM
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) June 9, 2024
"I have to say this... but that ballot paper was like toilet roll," Deputy Ring said.
"It took so long to be able to vote - so it will take a long time to count them.
"God help the counters, they're going to have an awful job from the top to the bottom".
Deputy Ring also praised Fine Gael's performance in the local elections.
"People had Fine Gael written off and I have to say [Taoiseach] Simon Harris, I think he's done a superb job," he said.
"If there had been a leadership battle I'd have backed Paschal Donohoe - but I'd have made the wrong decision.
"He has done a fantastic job, he has put tremendous energy into the party and I give him a lot of credit."
He added that he believes an election should be called in "September/October" as the party is "on a high".
