Sinn Féin v Fine Gael
Will Sinn Féin finish with more seats than Fine Gael? Quite possibly yes.
If this happens it would illustrate in the clearest terms the strength of Sinn Féin post-Election 2020. Some projections suggest that Sinn Féin will finish with 37 seats and Fine Gael 36 seats.
Listen again to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael
As the long journey to Government formation begins Paschal Donohoe has expressed a desire to return to government.
But Fine Gael have ruled out a coalition with Sinn Féin and it seems (according to Simon Coveney) another confidence and supply deal with Fianna Fáil. That just leaves the option of a grand coalition.
All the while Fianna Fáil are sending out mixed messages about Sinn Féin, while Mary Lou McDonald has already started calling parties like the Social Democrats and the Greens.
Don't expect any clarity quickly.
Slowest Constituency
At the beginning of the day there are just two constituencies that have not elected candidates. They are Clare and Galway West. It's going to take some time too to fill all the seats in Dublin Bay North and Wicklow.
Labour v Social Democrats
There is a chance that the Social Democrats will finish this day with more seats than the country's oldest party, Labour.
Already the Social Democrats has had three TDs elected compared to Labour's two. The newer party is also in contention for seats in Wicklow, Dublin Bay North, Dublin Central, Dublin North West.
New Independents
Watch out for the election of new independent TDs and how they might align as moves are made to form a government.
These include Richard O'Donoghue who was elected in Limerick County last night. While Marian Harkin in Sligo-Leitrim and Verona Murphy in Wexford are well placed to be elected later.
