The three main parties are all within 2% of each other in the exit poll, but Ireland's electoral system means it is likely Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will make up another coalition government.

An exit poll in Ireland's parliamentary election released late Friday suggests the three biggest parties have won roughly equal shares and the country is headed for another coalition government.

Ireland's main opposition party Sinn Fein looked on course to narrowly win the most votes at a general election on Friday, but its two main centre-right rivals will likely have enough seats to govern again without it,