SF’s Ferris returned in Kerry North

Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris has been returned in Kerry North to join poll-topper Jimmy Deenihan.

Tom McEllistrom looks set to claim the last seat ahead of Labour’s Terry O’Brien.

In Kerry South, sitting Labour TD Breda Moynihan-Cronin has been eliminated.

FG’s Tom Sheehan has taken the second seat after FF Minister John O’Donoghue, while Independent Jackie Healy-Rae and FF’s Tom Fleming are fight for the last seat.

Fianna Fáil’s Sean Ardagh has won the first seat in Dublin South Central tonight. He was elected on the first count, just after 9pm.

His running mate Michael Mulcahy is set to be elected next, his vote is currently about 500 less than the quota.

The Labour leader says Bertie Ahern is in the driving seat when it comes to forming the next Government.

Pat Rabbitte says the contest between the Taoiseach and Enda Kenny made things more complex for the candidates from the other parties.

The number of seats confirmed nationwide so far is: FF 47, FG 15, Lab 7, PD 1, GP 3, SF 2, Ind 1.