Analysis by BBC News NI political editor End McLafferty
Exit polls are far from an exact science, but they are a good indicator of where the vote is going.
In 2020, he correctly predicted a tight fight between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, with the parties eventually sharing just three seats
If the exit polls are right this time, Sinn Fein will be happy with their results.
Slightly ahead of Fine Gael, but less than the almost 25% Sinn Féin secured in 2020.
The party limped into the election campaign after a series of damaging controversies and failed European and local council elections in June, when it secured just 12% of the vote.
In a three-week campaign, she managed to regain lost ground with a promise to bring change.
But delivering on that promise can be a challenge if the exit poll is right.
This suggests that Fine Gael, on 21%, and Fianna Fáil, on 19.5%, could return to the government benches with the help of two smaller parties and some independents.
Although Sinn Féin’s path to power is more difficult as it hoped to lead a coalition of left-wing parties, it may struggle to get the numbers with the results of these smaller parties.
But the real picture will become clear only when all the results are available.
