Taoiseach Simon Harris has finally confirmed his intention to dissolve the Dáil and call a general election for the country on Wednesday 6 November.

Under Irish law, the same Dáil cannot hold office for more 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 19 February 2025, and a general election must be called by 22 March 2025.

Speaking to RTÉ News on Wednesday evening, the Taoiseach said: “As I have made very clear over the last few weeks, we wanted to get the Finance Bill passed. It is important that we support the budget. knocking on people’s doors until the tax cuts are actually passed into law.

“There is important work to be done in the Dáil and the Seanad today and tomorrow.

“I therefore intend to call for the dissolution of the Dáil by (Irish) President Higgins on Friday and as I would have discussed with the other Coalition leaders, I hope that we will have a polling day in this country November 29.

“I look forward to the weeks ahead and seek a mandate from the Irish people.”

He added: “There you go, clarity.

“But it was important to do it in a way that was respectful, respectful of the budgetary process, respectful of the adoption of legislation, and also ensuring that this government coalition, which worked well, could achieve a amicable ending.

“I think we are now ready to present our case to the people and I really look forward to doing so in the weeks to come.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris tells @rtenews that he hopes that “we will have voting day in this country on November 29” 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 growing speculation, the Taoiseach confirmed on October 21 that Ireland would hold general elections before the end of the yearbut did not immediately reveal when.

Days earlier, TD Roderic O’Gorman, leader of the Irish Green Party, said he would like the election to take place on November 29.

The last general election in Ireland took place on 8 February 2020. Fianna Fáil (38 seats), Sinn Féin (37 seats) and Fine Gael (35 seats) became the top three parties; 80 seats are needed to form a coalition government. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael finally formed a coalition with the Green Party.

Earlier this year, Ireland went to the polls for local, European and Limerick mayoral elections. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael won the most seats, although both parties lost seats in the last local elections in 2019.

Meanwhile, a Sunday Times / Opinion poll published on October 20 revealed that Fine Gael is currently the most popular party in Ireland.

SUNDAY/OPINION POLL

Fine Gael 24 (no change since September) Independents/Others 22 (+2)
Fianna Fail 19 (-1)
Sinn Féin 16 (-2)
Social Democrats 5 (nc)
Job 5 (+1)
Greens 4 (nc)
PBP-Solidarity 3 (nc)
Aontú 2 (nc)

Survey carried out among 1,005 adults from October 10 to 16

MoE +/-3pc

– Hugh O’Connell (@oconnellhugh) October 19, 2024