After much speculation, Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed that there will be a general election in Ireland before the end of 2024.
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.
“There is no great mystery in relation to this and let me try to be helpful; there's going to be a general election this year," Harris told reporters in Dublin on Monday, according to The Irish Mirror.
"The Government is going to conclude its work. It's going to do that in an orderly manner."
The Taoiseach said he, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, and Minister Roderic O'Gorman - the three leaders of Ireland's current coalition government - have outlined a body of work to be completed before the end of this government. The work includes the Finance Bill, as well as setting housing targets.
Harris said that the “lifetime of this Dáil is very limited."
He added that Fine Gael will contest the election as a “standalone political party” and would not have a “transfer pact” with Fianna Fáil or the Greens.
The Taoiseach's comments on Monday come a day after he told reporters that it is his "expectation that there will be a general election in 2024."
"I've been very clear though that I'm going to do it in a respectful manner," Harris said on Sunday. "I have no wish to surprise my coalition colleagues."
While a date for Ireland's next general election has not been officially confirmed, TD Roderic O'Gorman, the head of Ireland's Green Party, said on Friday - before the Taoiseach announced that an election would likely be held this year - that he would like to see the election be held on November 29.
“I think the 29th is the date to go," O'Gorman told reporters in Dublin on Friday, according to The Irish Examiner.
“Probably now’s the time to give some degree of certainty to the Irish people in terms of the election date,” O’Gorman said.
“I’ll be meeting with the two coalition leaders on Monday. What I’ll be saying to them is that I think we need to give clarity and I’ll be saying my preference is for a November election — 29th November.”
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
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