The Progressive Democrats are facing the likelihood of heavy losses among the party's eight seats as count figures arrive in.
Health Minister and former PD leader Mary Harney is fighting for her seat.
The Minister for Justice and party leader Michael McDowell conceded the election, saying it was clear he would not regain his seat in Dublin South East.
Mr McDowell, a barrister by profession, said this now marked the end of his career in public life.
Minister for Health and former leader Mary Harney has been reelected in Dublin Mid-West and in Galway West the party's Noel Grealish is struggling but may hang on in a battle for the final seat with Fianna Fáil's Michael Crowe.
On the third count in the constituency both men were well behind the quota of 6,769 votes but Mr Gormley was more than 1000 votes ahead of Mr McDowell..
The news for the party is even more bleak in Dublin South where deputy leader Liz O'Donnell has lost her seat.
In Laois-Offaly, party president Tom Parlon also looks unlikely to retain his seat and in Limerick East, Tim O'Malley is under pressure.
In Dún Laoghaire, Fiona O'Malley looks to have lost, as does Mae Sexton in Longford-Westmeath.
Ms Harney described it as a "tough election".