Charlie Flanagan believes Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will return to government.
Former Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has arrived at the count centre in Portlaoise and is expressing his delight at the performance of Willie Aird.
The longstanding Laois TD says he's enjoying his first election off in a long time.
Deputy Flanagan is calling the result as follows:
Willie Aird (FG), Sean Fleming (FF), and Brian Stanley (SF).
He also believes the to coalition parties are set to return to government, support by either a smaller party, or a group of independents.
He analyses the situation in Laois with Midlands 103's David Hollywood: