THE SOUTH-EAST: A 7.30 a.m. start wasn't early enough for some voters in Waterford, who were waiting for polling stations to open.
In common with other parts of the State, voting was brisk throughout the region for most of the day in spite of appalling weather.
The early start proved popular in places like Dungarvan, and not just with early risers. Workers from Waterford Crystal voted at the local sports centre after completing their night shifts.
At one polling station in the town, two women voters were present at 7.10 a.m., in the mistaken belief that voting was to begin at 7 o'clock.
In Kilmacthomas, two people arrived at 7.20 a.m. to cast their votes.
Early risers were also prominent in Tramore, where 20 people voted between 7.30 and 8 a.m. at the Holy Cross school.
In Ballygunner, in Waterford city, the early opening experiment was less successful, with just one person voting in the first half-hour.
By late afternoon, the turnout in Waterford city had reached 30 per cent.
It was a little lower in county areas but overall was still expected to exceed the 65.14 per cent turnout recorded in the constituency in 1997.
Presiding officers at a number of stations remarked that people were taking longer to vote than in the past, and were taking more time to study the ballot papers, which contained photographs of the candidates for the first time in a general election.
A high turnout in Clonmel, particularly in large housing estates, was good news for Workers and Unemployed Action Group TD, Mr Seamus Healy, who was seeking to hold the seat won in the by-election of 2000.
Turn-out in the town was hitting 40 per cent by 6.30 p.m., with four hours of polling left.
Wexford was also set to record a bigger turnout than the 67.28 per cent of five years ago, although voting was reported to be slow in some rural areas.
In Enniscorthy, the turnout had reached 35 to 40 per cent by early evening.
Voting was also brisk in Kilkenny, in both city and county. Just over 67 per cent of the Carlow-Kilkenny electorate voted in the last general election, and there was optimism that that figure would be exceeded.
