BBC News NI’s Aoife Moore in Dublin
Early counts predict an upset for some government ministers.
While not all boxes are open, trends are beginning to emerge.
In Wicklow, which has four seats, Health Secretary Stephen Donnelly is fifth.
Health care has been a hot topic during the election campaign as waiting lists continue to grow.
Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) Simon Harris is in the same constituency and is leading in the first counts.
In Dublin in the Midwest, the Minister for Children, Roderick O’Gorman of the Green Party, is struggling at this early stage, now in sixth place.
O’Gorman has found himself in the unenviable position of responsibility for the integration and accommodation of asylum seekers – something the current government has struggled to cope with amid a far-right disinformation campaign and a lack of available refugee beds.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is likely to take the top spot in the Dublin Central constituency.
Social Democrat Gary Gannon and Fine Gael minister Paschal Donahoe also look safe in their seats.
The last seat looks set to be a tight race between Labor senator Marie Sherlock and independent candidate Gerard Hutch.
