Presenter Brian Farrell talks live to Dick Spring leader of the Labour Party at the count centre in Tralee County Kerry on results night. He is awaiting a recount. He describes his feelings to Brian Farrell and his position as that of "...playing against the wind for both halves."

There is a break in the interview as coverage goes live to Sligo, where after the seventh count, there is success for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Barry Desmond in the RTÉ studio congratulates Dick Spring. Ireland uses the proportional representation system in elections. Spring quips that Barry Desmond could have had an increase in his duties if five votes had not been found.

A special edition of 'Today Tonight' covering the 1987 general election results.

'Today Tonight' was a RTÉ current affairs programme with up-to-the-minute coverage of events at home and abroad. 'Today Tonight' was first broadcast on Monday, 6 October, 1980 and ran for 12 years until 1992. Edited by Joe Mulholland, the original presenters included Barry Cowan, Brian Farrell and Olivia O'Leary. 'Today Tonight' aired from Monday to Thursday on RTÉ 1.

Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Libraries and Archives.

If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us.

RTÉ Libraries and Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us.