Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said housing and disability issues have been raised constantly during the election campaign and had been the “standout” issues.
The Fianna Fail leader said despite criticism that there was a dearth of big moments or excitement during the General Election, there had been “a lot of engagement” from the public.
He said: “Housing is a very big issue for many, many families, parents, in particular, of young teenagers, or teenagers (aged) 17, 18, early 20s, wondering can they look forward to owning their own home or getting a house that they can afford to rent or to buy.
“Disability has been a constant in different forms and in different manifestations, in terms of access to therapies, in terms of Section 39 and they are the two issues that stand out.”
Mr Martin was speaking from Greystones, Co Wicklow, as he canvassed in the Wicklow constituency with Fianna Fail minister Stephen Donnelly.
He is due to canvass in the new constituency of Wicklow–Wexford later on Thursday in the final few hours of campaigning.
Asked whether he would reveal which parties he would transfer to when he votes on Friday, Mr Martin said: “Well, that’s a matter for me, and then I cherish the privacy of the ballot box, and that’s the way it should be for every voter.”