General election officially underway as President dissolves Dáil

President Michael D Higgins has formally dissolved the Dáil and kicked off a shortened campaign that will last three weeks, which will conclude with polling day on November 29.

Taoiseach Simon Harris visited the President’s residence at Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park in order to undertake the formalities required to call an election.

Making the announcement outside government buildings in Dublin this morning, Harris said: “We are a small country with a big influence all over the world and we have many assets but no asset more valuable than our people,” he said.

He added that it had been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the country’s leader.

“In just seven short months,” the Taoiseach continued, “I have travelled to every part of this beautiful country. I’ve met thousands of you and we have discussed hundreds of issues. Your concerns are my priorities and over the next three weeks I will seek a mandate to continue as your Taoiseach and to deliver for you on the things that matter most to you, your family, your community and to our country.

“Others will, of course, seek alternative mandates, and it is vital we have an election that fully considers our very different visions for our country’s economic and social future.”

"Finally, I ask just one thing of the Irish people: Value your vote, use your voice," he said. "That’s how this country works, that’s how we listen, that’s how we act on your behalf."

The dissolution ends a historic coalition that was formed in mid-2020, bringing together Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in an agreement which ended a rivalry dating back to the Civil War. The Green Party also joined the administration as a junior partner.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have already spoken against a coalition, with Micheál Martin saying during a press conference today it is not a given that his party will enter government with Fine Gael again.

"Debate is the lifeblood of democracy and elections,” he said.

"I look forward to the debates because the government will be putting forward its priorities, its policies, as we did in the last election.”

It is believed that housing will be the first big talking point of the campaign, with a live TV debate on Monday night set to feature ­Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, Public Spending Minister Paschal Donohoe and Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin.