Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny tonight hailed his party's "phenomenal" performance in the election and predicted it would gain 20 seats.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny speaks to the press outside the parish centre in Castlebar
At his constituency count in Castlebar, Mr Kenny said: "We ran the best election campaign Fine Gael ever ran - bar none."
Mr Kenny said the country owed "a debt of gratitude" to coalition partner Pat Rabbitte for helping create a contest and for setting out the issues ahead of the poll.
Earlier in the day, the Labour leader admitted it was now likely Bertie Ahern will be the next Taoiseach. Mr Rabbitte said his decision to align his party with Fine Gael was "considered and deliberate."
Asked on RTÉ television if his leadership was now in question, Mr Rabbitte said: "The seats haven't even been decided yet. The reasons why the mood for change, that was unmistakenly there, shifted in the last week . . . I think will require a lot of analysis. It's quite complex."
Mr Rabbitte was elected in Dublin South West on the second count with 8,325 votes.