The Taoiseach has told Newstalk election results meant it was not a good day for people in government.

In a sometimes heated exchange, Enda Kenny says he knows the frustration and anger expressed by people in the vote.

His comments come as Labour's drubbing continues as election results come in from local authorities around the country.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle McFadden has won the seat vacated by her late sister, Nicky, in the Longford-Westmeath constituency.

And in the Dublin West constituency, Socialist Party candidate Ruth Coppinger won the by-election.

Enda Kenny has visited the Longford-Westmeath count centre to meet Fine Gael candidate McFadden.

While there, he gave an interview to Newstalk's John Keogh. 

Taoiseach Enda Kenny pictured outside the Longford Westmeath count centre last night Pic: Francesca Comyn

Though Labour has suffered the most pain from the election results, Fine Gael too has been badly bruised. The party will be hoping for better results in the European elections today. The government party is confident it can retain four of the 11 seats. 

Next election

Yesterday, Enda Kenny predicted the next General Election will be a humdinger.

And asked if Fine Gael can see themselves doing business with Sinn Féin if they continue their winning streak, the Taoiseach said winning a General-Election is different to winning locals, "I think the next election will be a humdinger completely, I think it will be focused entirely on the economy and what that means. I've been around over many elections. Actually you've got to lead a campaign for a party in more than one General Election to understand the difference between the kind of campaign for local and Europeans as distinct from a General Election. People were not election a government today".