Polling stations across the country have closed.

Almost 3.3 million people were eligible to cast their ballot in the General Election.

Returning officers in several urban constituencies described the turnout as brisk but it was slow outside large towns.

More than 550 candidates are fighting in 40 constituencies for just 158 Dáil seats in the 32nd Dáil.

Tallyman Joe Mc Carthy says the voting system is fair: