Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that even without all the votes counted, there is a clear sign the people want change.

Outgoing coalition partners Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, however, claim they are well placed to return to power following Ireland’s General Election.

Friday's vote is "an historic opportunity" to elect Ireland's first female prime minister, Ms McDonald says, and should that happen, she plans to put reunification at the heart of government, with a referendum by 2030.