Country to go to polls for election on 29 November

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said "the time is now right to ask the Irish people to give a new mandate", as a General Election has been confirmed for Friday 29 November.

In a short speech at Government Buildings, the Fine Gael leader said Ireland is "a great democracy" and voters are "entitled to good governance and hard work".

He said in his view the Government has made "great progress" and thanked his party colleagues as well as coalition partners Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.

He said while the coalition partners have not agreed "on every topic" they have made "progress", citing "five progressive budgets", and having "protected" people during the Covid-19 pandemic, "Russia's illegal war in Ukraine" and the cost-of-living crisis.

The Fine Gael leader said, "the time is now right to ask the Irish people to give a new mandate", saying "it is the honour of my lifetime to serve as your Taoiseach".

Mr Harris added: "I want to secure your future", and that "others will of course seek alternative mandates", adding progress "should never be taken for granted".

Before leaving to travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to ask President Michael D Higgins to dissolve the Dáil, the Fine Gael leader wished "all candidates luck", ending his speech by saying: "I ask one thing: value your vote, use your voice. If you give me your trust, I will give you my all."

President Higgins granted Mr Harris' request to dissolve the Dáil, triggering a three-week General Election campaign ahead of voting on 29 November.

It is expected that the Fine Gael leader will now immediately hit the election campaign trail in Dublin.

Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien has signed an order appointing 29 November as polling day.

The polls will be open for people to cast their ballot from 7am to 10pm.

Last night, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald declared that her party is the only option for voters who want a government without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

She said the electorate will have an historic choice - a left-wing coalition led by Sinn Féin, or the way it has always been with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael in power, who she branded 'Tweedledum' and 'Tweedledee'.

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Deadline for candidates to declare is confirmed

Every person who is an Irish or British citizen and is included in the register of electors is entitled to vote in the General Election. There are currently more than 3.5 million people entitled to vote in Dáil elections.

A person who is eligible to vote but has not yet registered have until Tuesday to complete an application.

An online application can be submitted at www.checktheregister.ie or by submitting a form to their local authority.

For potential candidates, to stand for election you must be a citizen of Ireland and at least 21 years old by polling day.

A person can nominate themselves or be nominated by a person who is registered as an elector in their constituency.

A candidate who is not a member of a political party must complete their nomination by way of assents requiring the completion of statutory declarations by 30 assentors in their constituency.

Alternatively, the candidate, or someone on their behalf, can lodge a deposit of €500 with the returning officer.

The latest time for receiving nominations is 12pm on Saturday 16 November, while the latest time to withdraw a nomination is 12pm on Monday 18 November.

Campaigners ask President Higgins to keep Dáil in situ

Earlier President Higgins was asked not to dissolve the Dáil by campaigners who want the Occupied Territories Bill to be passed by the Oireachtas.

The bill would ban trade between Ireland and Israel's illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

In a letter sent to Áras an Uachtaráin by the Mothers Against Genocide group, the President was asked to use his presidential powers to keep the Dáil in situ.

In the letter, the group wrote: "Our Government has blocked and stalled this bill at every turn. Last week the offer of the opposition's Dáil speaking time to facilitate the enactment of this crucial bill was refused. The International Court of Justice advisory opinion in July makes it very clear that Ireland is compelled to act now.

"We hope dear President Higgins that you can be the final contributor to getting the Occupied Territories Bill enacted now."

Last Tuesday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin insisted that the Government is "prepared to go the full distance" on the Occupied Territories Bill, including through the European courts.

However, the Minister for Foreign Affairs warned the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that the bill's prospects may be harmed were the Government to give the committee the legal advice it has received.

He added that he believes that the bill could be enacted, but not quickly.

"So, it can be done, we're satisfied - and we're going to do it, and we're going to progress this," he said.

"But it's not something that can be done in a short space of time," he added.

Additional reporting Paul Cunningham