General Election confirmed for Friday November 29

The Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed that the General Election will take place on Friday November 29.

Taoiseach Harris made the announcement on the RTÉ Six One News, and explained the timing of the general election saying, "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 had tax cuts actually passed into law.

The Taoiseach said: "There's important work to be carried out in the Dáil and the Seanad today and tomorrow," so he will meet with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin on Friday to dissolve the Dáil.

"It's my intention then to seek a dissolution of the Dáil by President Higgins on Friday. As I have discussed with the other coalition leaders, it's my hope that we will have a polling day in this country on November 29."

It will then be the responsibility of the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien to formally set the polling date for Friday, November 29th. The chosen date will result in a short, three-week campaign, though many candidates have already begun campaigning across the country.

"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 government, which has worked well, could come to an amicable end and I think we're now ready to put our case to the people.

"I very much look forward to putting my case to the people in the weeks ahead," the Taoiseach concluded.