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It is now five years since the Fianna Fail/PD coalition saw off the challenge of Michael Noonan and Fine Gael to secure their second term in office.

Since then we’ve had controversy over the US military’s refuelling at Shannon, Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, Fianna Fail’s worst local election results in 80 years and ratification of the Nice Treaty. Not to mention the E-voting fiasco, Ivor Callely’s resignation, Bertiegate and Michael McDowell comparing Richard Bruton to Joseph Goebbels.

FF and the PDs are now seeking their third consecutive term in government together. However, the result in this general election is far from clear-cut. A recent tracking poll in the Sunday Business Post had the FF/PD coalition level with the FG/Labour alternative, suggesting that this could be one of the tightest election races for years.

This means that every vote is crucial and, to this end, Hot Press has compiled a brief guide to democracy, Irish style. Unlike our brethren in the UK, Ireland uses the proportional representation system. Although there are many variants of this particular electoral method, the type utilised in the Republic, in common with Malta, Australia (Senate) and Northern Ireland (assembly and local elections), is based on the “single transferable vote in a multi-member constituency.”

Although it sounds like the title of a Tortoise track and the counting process is complex, voting is clear and most voters get at least one of their preferences elected. You put your preferences in order from 1 down. If there are 10 candidates you can – and to use your vote to the maximum should – go all the way to 10.

Election systems based on proportional representation tend to favour a multi-party result, and it’s possible that independent TDs will end up holding the balance of power, so bear that in mind before you commit to any candidates running on a “criminalise booze” platform.

Oireachtas Eireann has two chambers. The Dáil has 166 members in total, while the the second 'house', the Seanad, has 60 members: 11 nominated by the Taoiseach, six elected by graduates of two universities (the National University of Ireland and Trinity College) and 43 members elected from five vocational panels (Culture and Education, Agriculture, Labour, Industry and Commerce and Public Administration). The Seanad elections are held within 90 days of the dissolution of the Dáil.

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Paul Nolan