Election raises prospect of historic pact as voters punish Coalition

Ireland's traditional political rivals Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are being forced to mull over the prospect of an historic pact after voters handed the outgoing coalition a hammering.

Ireland's traditional political rivals are being forced to mull over the prospect of an historic pact after voters handed the outgoing coalition a hammering.

With counting of two million votes under way, the election is set to throw up the most diverse Dáil since the foundation of the state more than 90 years ago.