More than three million voters in the Republic of Ireland are set to go to the polls later in the country's first general election since it was bailed out by the EU and the IMF.

Voting begins at 0700 GMT and finishes at 2200 GMT. Polls opened on some of the country's islands on Wednesday.

There are 566 candidates fighting in 43 constituencies for 165 seats in the Irish parliament (Dail Eireann).

Chris Buckler reports.