Fine Gael heading for Irish victory: poll

Irish centre-right party Fine Gael looks set to lead the next government - but without an overall majority, according to an exit poll in the Irish general election.

The party recorded 36.1% support - its highest result since November 1982 - according to the Millward Brown Lansdowne study commissioned by broadcaster RTE.

Labour, which hopes to be in coalition with Fine Gael, is on 20.5 per cent, its best ever share of the vote.

Outgoing ruling party Fianna Fail is on a record low of 15.1 per cent.

Sinn Fein's support is put at 10.1 per cent, with outgoing coalition partners the Greens on 2.7% with the Independents and others polling 15.5 per cent.

The exit poll interviewed 3,500 voters after casting their ballots outside polling stations across 43 constituencies Friday.