Minister of State for Agriculture Andrew Doyle and former Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith are unlikely to gain election to the European Parliament, if the results of an exit poll prove accurate. A poll conducted by RED C shows Fine Gael TD Doyle languishing in eighth place in the five-seat Ireland South constituency, with 4% of the vote.
Minister of State for Agriculture Andrew Doyle and former Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith are unlikely to gain election to the European Parliament, if the results of an exit poll prove accurate.
A poll conducted by RED C shows Fine Gael TD Doyle languishing in eighth place in the five-seat Ireland South constituency, with 4% of the vote.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail's Smith is similarly struggling in the Midlands North-West. He lies back in seventh place on 6%, and with running mate Anne Rabbitte only gaining 3%, it's hard to see any hope of him taking one of the four seats.
McGuinness
Mairead McGuinness was the big vote-taker in rural Ireland, taking a quarter of the votes in Midlands North-West.
That would see her elected on the first count, and give her running-mate, former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh, a chance of a seat.
Sitting Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy polled strongly at 15%, and seems sure to be elected.
Luke "Ming" Flanagan is on 10%, and in a fight with Green Party candidate Saoirse McHugh (12%) and Walsh for the final two seats.
Ireland South
It's a much closer affair in Ireland South, where Sean Kelly tops the poll on 16%, followed closely by Liadh Ni Riada (Sinn Féin, 13%), Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fáil, 13%) and Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party, 12%).
While in pole position to take seats, they are closely followed by Mick Wallace (10%), Malcolm Byrne (FF 9%) and sitting MEP Deirdre Clune (FG 9%). The remaining 15 candidates share 16% of the vote, so there will be a long wait to see who will ultimately benefit for transfers. The fifth seat will only be occupied when Brexit is completed and UK MEPs resign their seats.
The Green Party are the story of the election, and will definitely take a seat in Dublin, where Ciaran Cuffe comfortably tops the poll.
Andrew Doyle.
Agriculture
In contrast, the poor results for two candidates best known for their time in Agriculture House is notable.
Farming links often elected candidates in the past, from former ministers for agriculture Mark Clinton and Ray McSharry to former IFA presidents TJ Maher, Paddy Lane and Alan Gillis.
The RED C poll, conducted on behalf of RTE/TG4, spoke to 3,230 voters on Friday. The margin of error is 4%, but that margin is unlikely to allow either Doyle or Smith much hope.
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