Taoiseach Simon Harris finally confirmed when he plans to dissolve the Dáil and call a General Election for the country on Wednesday, November 6.
As per Irish law, the same Dáil shall not continue for longer than five years from the date of its first meeting. As such, the current 33rd Dáil must be dissolved by the President of Ireland at the request of the Taoiseach no later than February 19, 2025, and a general election must be called by March 22, 2025.
Speaking to RTÉ News on Wednesday evening, the Taoiseach said: "As I've said very clearly over the last number of weeks, we wanted to get the Finance Bill passed. It's important that we underpin the Budget. We didn't want to be knocking on people's doors until we have tax cuts actually passed into law.
"There's important work to be carried out in the Dáil and the Seanad today and tomorrow.
"It is my intention then to seek dissolution of the Dáil by President [of Ireland] Higgins on Friday and as I would have discussed with the other coalition leaders, it is my hope that we will have a polling day in this country on the 29th of November.
"I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead and asking the people of Ireland for a mandate."
He added: "There you go, clarity.
"But it was important to do this in a way that was respectful, respectful to the budgetary process, respectful to getting the legislation passed, and also making sure that this coalition of government, which has worked well, can come to an amicable end.
"I think we're now ready to put our case to the people and I very much look forward to putting my case to the people in the weeks ahead."
Taoiseach Simon Harris tells @rtenews that he hopes “we will have polling day in this country on the 29th of November” pic.twitter.com/EWf0fUCrzV
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) November 6, 2024
RTÉ News notes that Tánaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin had earlier said he believed the General Election would be called on Friday.
Amid mounting speculation, the Taoiseach confirmed on October 21 that Ireland would have a General Election before the end of the year, though did not immediately disclose when.
A few days prior, TD Roderic O'Gorman, the head of Ireland's Green Party, said that he would like to see the election be held on November 29.
Ireland's last general election was held on February 8, 2020. Fianna Fáil (38 seats), Sinn Féin (37 seats), and Fine Gael (35 seats) emerged as the top three parties; 80 seats are needed to form a coalition government. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ultimately formed a coalition with The Green Party.
Earlier this year, Ireland went to the polls for local, European, and Mayor of Limerick elections. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael won the most seats, though both parties lost seats from the last local elections in 2019.
Meanwhile, a Sunday Times / Opinions poll published on October 20 found that Fine Gael is currently the most popular party in Ireland.
🚨SUNDAY TIMES/OPINIONS POLL🚨
Fine Gael 24 (no change since Sept) Independents/Others 22 (+2)
Fianna Fáil 19 (-1)
Sinn Féin 16 (-2)
Social Democrats 5 (nc)
Labour 5 (+1)
Greens 4 (nc)
PBP-Solidarity 3 (nc)
Aontú 2 (nc)Poll of 1,005 adults taken Oct 10-16
MoE +/-3pc
— Hugh O'Connell (@oconnellhugh) October 19, 2024
Comments