There was a slow start to voting in Cork this morning as the wet weather made an impact
Cork County Returning Officer figures at midday show Cork North West with the highest turnout on 15.5%, followed by Cork South West on 13.1% and Cork East on 12.4%
Voting across the city and county is expected to pick up across the days with the polls remaining open until 10pm tonight
Polling stations have been open since 7am and it's a mixed bag on turnout so far across the country.
Some boxes in Kilkenny had more than 13 per cent before 11.30 this morning, about 10 per cent of people have voted in Kerry up to lunchtime and it's approaching double digits in Waterford and Wexford. It was slow enough in Galway this morning but has picked up to between 12 and 13 per cent this lunchtime.
Nearly 15 per cent of people in Donegal have cast a vote, while in Carlow a number of boxes are hitting 11 and 12 per cent.
The rain may impact voting today - research in the past has suggested rainy days can lower turnout by as much as 2 or 3 per cent. There was a nearly 100 year low turnout in 2020 at less than 63 per cent.
Polls will remain open until 10pm this evening - you don't need to bring your polling card but you do need ID.
Details of an exit poll will be released at 10pm just after polling closes.
