Nerves are wearing thin at the Laois Offaly count centre in Tullamore, Co Offaly, where a delegation of the eight remaining candidates have sought clarification on the recount progress.
According to Fine Gael's Charlie Flanagan, "an all-party group sought clarification as to the current position as to what exactly had taken place all day and since yesterday evening. We requested that the
County Registrar or the Returning Officer would make a statement to the people."
In response, Laois County Registrar, Paul Fetherstonhaugh asked those gathered at the centre to "please bear with us" and said the process was "at an advanced stage".
The representatives approached count staff at 4pm. A recount was called in the five seat Laois/Offaly constituency on the tenth count shortly after 6pm yesterday.
The recount was called by Fine Gael's Liam Quinn who is trailing outgoing TD, John Moloney by 26 votes. Charlie Flanagan is the only candidate to have yet reached the quota in Laois/Offaly where 21 names are on the ticket.