Sinn Féin could increase its Dáil seat numbers by between 10 and 15, cementing their place as the third large party in the country.

Counting is underway to elect 159 members of the next Dáil and Sinn Féin looks set to make serious gains based on early tallies of votes across the country.

Richard Boyd Barrett has appealed to parties that take a left-wing stance to put up a "united front".