Polling stations have closed in today's general election with voting described as brisk during the day.
A number of constituencies indicated turnout was likely to be greater than the 62 per cent recorded nationally in 2002.
Earlier a spokeswoman for the returning officer in Dublin city said turnout in the Dublin North Central constituency was estimated at 43.5 per cent at around 6pm. In Dublin North West, the turnout so far was around 38 per cent, while it was 32 per cent in both Dublin North East and Dublin South Central.
In the Dublin county constituencies, including Dublin Mid-West, Dublin North, Dublin South, Dublin South West, Dublin West and Dun Laoghaire, turnout was averaging between 8 per cent and 15 per cent earlier in the day, but it is expected to rise. A spokeswoman for the returning officer John Fitzpatrick said she felt that was "quite low".
Five-seat Cork South Central had an average turnout of 25 per cent shortly after lunch, a spokeswoman for the returning officer said. "We felt that was quite high," she added.
In the four-seater Cork North Central constituency, the turnout was around 21 per cent.
Although over 1,000 people living on islands off the western seaboard have already voted, polling stations throughout the State for over 3,000,000 eligible voters opened at 7.30am and will close at 10.30pm.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton both cast their votes in the Dublin North Central constituency at around 11am.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and his wife, Fionnula, cast their votes in Castlebar at around 9:45am, while Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte cast his in Clondalkin at around 9.30am.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent voted in Balbriggan in Dublin North, and the Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell voted in his Dublin South East constituency.
Voters may be required to produce a driving licence or other form of identity at polling stations, but they will not be prevented from casting their ballot if they have not received a polling card.
In addition, a bank or savings or credit union book containing address in the constituency; a cheque book; a cheque card; a credit card; a birth certificate, or a marriage certificate will be accepted, as long as the voter brings along a further document that establishes clearly that they live in the constituency.
The number of TDs to be elected to the 30th Dáil is 165, since the Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, is automatically returned. There are 466 candidates standing.
Fianna Fáil is fielding 106 candidates, followed by Fine Gael with 91 candidates. The Labour Party is running 50 candidates, while the Progressive Democrats are represented by 30 candidates.
The Green Party is fielding candidates in all 43 constituencies. Sinn Féin has candidates in all but three constituencies. Some 104 other candidates are running.
The Workers' Party, the Christian Solidarity Party and the Socialist Party are registered as political parties, and their candidates will be described as members of these parties on the ballot papers.
However, candidates representing groupings such as the People Before Profit Alliance, the Fathers' Rights Responsibilities Group and the Immigration Control Platform will appear on ballot papers without their groups' names as these groups have either not been registered as political parties.
There are also dozens of non-aligned or Independent candidates.
When voting concludes this evening, the ballot boxes will be brought to the 43 count centres. They will be opened at 9am tomorrow. The returning officers will verify that all paperwork is correct before counting starts.
It is almost impossible to estimate turnout in the general election, partly due to a recent reorganisation of an inaccurate electoral register.
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche last year admitted the register was "a mess".
In advance of a recent major effort to correct errors in the register, it was estimated there may have been as many as 400,000 more names on the record than there were citizens entitled to vote.
There were also many thousands of people registered twice.
Political commentators therefore believe recent turnout figures were underestimated by somewhere in the region of 10 per cent but possibly by up to 20 per cent.
Turnout in the last general election in 2002 was 62.7 per cent, down from 65.2 per cent in the general election of 1997.
The Rock the Vote campaign group, established to mobilise the youth vote in the election, said today that early indications from its volunteers at some polling stations show a good turnout among young people.