With all bar four of the 43 constituencies in the General Election finished counting, the country’s political scene has undergone a sea change.

Former Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin has failed to retain her seat in Dun Laoghaire. Richard Boyd Barrett won the seat, bringing the haul of seats for Independents and others to 17.

The election of Fine Gael's Mary Mitchell O'Connor in Dun Laoghaire brings to 141 the total number of seats filled so far (from a total of 166).

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has been elected in Dun Laoghaire with 11,468 first preferences, over the quota of 11,336.

The Progressive Democrats have suffered another setback in their fortunes following the defection of a Dublin-based councillor to Fine Gael.