‘Use your voice’: Harris triggers election and travels to Áras to seek dissolution of Dáil

Taoiseach Simon Harris has triggered the start of the 2024 general election after he confirmed that he will request a dissolution of the current Dáil.
Mr Harris made the announcement, as expected, at Government Buildings and will now travel to Áras an Uachtaráin.
Once the President has granted a dissolution of the Dáil, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien will set the polling date for November 29th. Mr Harris is then expected to hit the campaign trail immediately after leaving Áras an Uachtaráin. The election campaign will be three weeks long. At the outset, the major themes are housing, Government spending, the cost of living, the public finances and healthcare.
There will be “ambitious” plans to support small businesses unveiled by Fine Gael on Saturday according to Taoiseach Simon Harris.
His remarks to reporters came as he made a dash around the doors in Castleknock with his party’s Dublin West candidate Emer Currie on his first official canvass for Election 2024.
He was joined on the campaign trail by former local TD and taoiseach Leo Varadkar and former tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald,
Mr Harris defended his party’s record in Government over 14 years in when it was put to him by reporters that it was time to give another party a go in power.
He said he is “very proud” of Fine Gael’s record saying the country his party “inherited” included the challenge of the “Troika being in town” before the Brexit crisis, Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine happened.
Mr Harris added: “this election for me is about looking forward” and “what I’m looking forward to talking to people about is what we can do over the next five years together”.
He mentioned childcare, increasing housing supply and how there is “lots more that I think we can do to support our small businesses all around the country”.
He added: “Small businesses that are telling me they’re to the pin of their collar … They’re busy and it’s good to be busy but they’re also still finding the margins very tight.”
Fine Gael will outline its proposals for helping small businesses on Saturday with Mr Harris saying he thinks the plans are “ambitious” and will “give hope to small businesses” like cafes restaurants and retailers.
In reference to the result of the US presidential election and the victory of Donald Trump he added: “I’m really conscious that this country could see and the European Union could very much see a transatlantic trade shock.
“We’ve got to be aware of that.”
He said foreign direct investment has a major role to play in Ireland and it has to be protected, “But the backbone of the Irish economy is small business”.
“And that’s really where I want to see what we can get done over the coming period of time.
“So tomorrow we’ll talk more about that.” – Cormac McQuinn
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has made an order to formally appoint Friday, November 29th as polling day.
A statement from O’Briens’ Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage says that polls will be open from 7am until 10pm on November 29th.
The statement also says that to stand for election, a candidate must be an Irish citizen and be at least 21 years of age by the polling date.
Some 3.5 million people in Ireland are entitled to vote at the moment.
The Labour Party have 29 candidates across 28 different constituencies. It had six TDs in the last Dáil and the polls would suggest they are up against it in this election.
The latest Irish Times poll shows then at 6 per cent in the poll, but, as the local elections show, they have a very good ground game and will concentrate their ground game on where they think they can win seats.
The party was hammered in 2016 after entering a coalition government with Fine Gael in 2011.
The party’s director of elections Brendan Howlin said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael “have squandered the last 8 years of prosperity”.
He added: “Labour will be offering a clear alternative to the public over the next three weeks. We’re fighting this election to build a better Ireland, to build better together.
“We’ll contest this election on a positive platform – on the issues that matter to people – housing, climate, children’s rights. Our dedicated candidates are fired up and ready to hit the ground running.
“The Labour Party has always been a party that values diversity and rejects division. We intend to fight this campaign on these terms.”
Richard Boyd-Barrett is predicting that People Before Profit can double their seat number from four up to 10 in the coming general election.
The party is putting forward a number of candidates it believes has a chance at election, Cllr Conor Reddy standing in Dublin North West, the singer Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Cllr Hazel De Nortúin in Dublin South Central and Cllr Adrienne Wallace who is standing in Co Carlow.
He said Palestine will be an issue in the election and the electorate will be insisting the Government will bring sanctions against Israel.
Cormac McQuinn bring us an interesting story this afternoon: Politicians have been issued with advice on keeping safe online, including how to respond to threats after a canvass, “deepfake” images, racist messages and online posts that spark a protest at their home. The Garda and Coimisiún na Meán, the Media Commission, has published an information pack for candidates against a backdrop of the toxic online environment for politicians in recent years, with many sustaining often serious abuse. Read his piece here.
And there’s a statement just in from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin following the official start of the general election. He says this is “an election about Ireland’s future “.
“It’s about how we can protect our many strengths and overcome deep challenges. Our campaign will put policy before politics. Substance before soundbite. We will offer new policies on tackling high prices, on helping people to buy or rent a home, on expanding health services, supporting education, tackling crime, and on many other areas. And we will lay out plans for leading Ireland through any new international turmoil which may arise. It will be a short three-week campaign, but the issues at stake could not be more serious.”
Simon Harris is en route to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet with President Michael D Higgins, at which point the Dáil will officially be dissolved. Then he hits the campaign trail. In his speech at Government Buildings, onlookers picked up a slight sense of nervousness from the Taoiseach, while others in political circles speculated that he may be all talked out after the EU summit.
Speaking at Government Buildings, Simon Harris thanked his Coalition partners Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, and said that while they did not agree on every issue, they “worked together for the good of the Irish people”. He said: “It is the honour of my lifetime to serve as your Taoiseach. Your concerns are my priorities. Over the next three weeks I will seek a mandate to continue as your Taoiseach. I want to secure your future. The progress Ireland has made and can make should never be taken for granted.” He also called for a safe and respectful campaign. “Finally, I ask just one thing of the Irish people. Value your vote, use your voice. If you give me your trust, I will you give you my all.”
Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin has a press release out which, unsurprisingly, is scathing about Fianna Fáil’s housing election promises. “Micheál Martin’s proposal to increase the so-called Help to Buy Scheme and expand it to second hand properties is Celtic Tiger-era Fianna Fáil at their very worst,” he says.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has just arrived at Government Buildings ahead of the big announcement. Alan Betson brings us this picture.
At this stage, there are more reports of too-early posters than we can keep track of. This particular poster caught our eye though, with Green Party sources particularly pleased with it.
The eagle has landed, I repeat, the eagle has landed. Taoiseach Simon Harris has just arrived back in Dublin from Budapest and is making his way to Government Buildings right now. Expect an announcement at about 1.30pm.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been setting out his stall this morning – and once again he is talking up his experience as a selling point.
Ronan McGreevy reports that Martin said he is going to stand on his party’s record in government over the last 4½ years.
Speaking to the media he said the Government had “demonstrated the capacity to lead the country through very difficult times” with Covid-19, the war in Ukraine and hyperinflation.
The greatest threat to the Irish economy is external, adding that “we need experience from those who have demonstrated that we can weather significant challenges and shocks”.
Some breaking news just in from Fianna Fáil. The party has announced that it is adding Austin Stack to the ticket in the Laois constituency in the general election, joining Minister of State Sean Fleming. Stack, a Portlaoise native, previously served as assistant governor in the Irish Prison Service. His father, former Portlaoise chief prison officer Brian Stack, was shot by the IRA in 1983 and died in hospital in 1984.
“I will always fight for justice and for fairness. If elected to Dáil Éireann I will continue this and be a relentlessly strong voice for our community at a national level,” Stack said this afternoon.
Jack Horgan Jones has also been attending the Labour Party housing launch this morning. He reports that the Labour Party says it will phase out the Government’s Help to Buy scheme and put income limits on a successor programme, billed as a “save to buy” scheme.
Party leader Ivana Bacik said its new scheme would operate similarly to the SSIA scheme of a generation ago.
“Labour’s housing document says that the current Help to Buy scheme has driven house price inflation, “is not targeted, and disproportionately benefits high-income households”. For renters, the party is planning a “rent to buy” scheme for those in cost rental homes which would see a portion of rental payments over the years converted into a deposit for purchasing their own home. The First Home shared equity scheme will be phased out, Labour says, from 2026,” Jack reports.
Here’s a video from our Political Correspondent Jack Horgan Jones who explains what happens next as the campaign kicks off.
Ronan McGreevy, who is attending the Fianna Fáil election launch in Dublin, sends this picture update as candidates gather.
Simon Harris is wrapping up his engagements in Budapest, but while we wait, here are some key pieces you might want to check out as we kick off our election coverage here at The Irish Times. For voters, this is an important piece from Sarah Burns detailing how exactly you can register to vote.
Then Fintan O’Toole asks here if any of our parties can meet the demands of independent Ireland’s second century.
On the politics team, we have pulled together profiles of all 43 constituencies with an analysis piece that you can read here.
And news just in from Sinn Féin: Mary Lou McDonald, along with members of her front-bench, will set out her pitch to voters at 2:30pm this afternoon when she speaks to the media. Watch this space.
We’re waiting to hear about Sinn Féin’s plans for the day, but in the meantime: I attended the party’s Dublin Central launch last night in Wynn’s Hotel. Dublin Central is Mary Lou McDonald’s constituency, and she is running alongside Cllr Janice Boylan. McDonald was upbeat at the launch and said she thinks she has got the candidate selection strategy right this time after accusations of running too few candidates in 2020 and too many in this summer’s local elections. You can read my full piece on that here. After speaking to the media, McDonald addressed a packed room of Sinn Féin supporters, arriving to the sound of Damien Dempsey’s Landlords in the Government. Subtle.
More early posters! This time it’s Dublin Rathdown candidate Alan Shatter, formerly of Fine Gael and now Independent. I think it’s pretty clear what issue he’ll be campaigning on …
The campaign videos are also appearing, and here’s one from Fianna Fáil which features Micheál Martin gazing out across a bay to the sound of Sia’s Unstoppable. Some lyrics from that song: “I’m unstoppable, I’m a Porsche with no brakes, I’m invincible, yeah, I win every single game.” A Porsche with no brakes, there you have it.
This just in from Ronan McGreevy: The Justice for Stardust 48 campaign has welcomed the decision by Antoinette Keegan to withdraw as a candidate for the National Party.
Ms Keegan, who lost two sisters in the 1981 tragedy and who has been one of the most vocal campaigners for the relatives of those bereaved, shocked many of her supporters by announcing that she was standing for the far-right party.
She later withdrew her candidacy stating that it had been an “error of judgment” on her part.
In a series of posts on X, the campaign recognised that she had admitted to an error in judgment and “acknowledge the real pain and distress this has caused. At the same time, we honour the tremendous work she and all the families have done”.
“Their courage has been crucial in advancing our long and painful journey toward justice for those we loved and lost. We understand the real hurt this situation has caused among families, campaigners, and supporters of the Stardust,” the campaign said.
“The past few days have been deeply challenging for us, the families of those lost in the Stardust fire. Our social media platforms are dedicated to honouring and remembering our loved ones, as well as their families and friends.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin was spotted canvassing on Baggot Street Bridge this morning with Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan. He is expected to canvass with election candidates around Luas stops and shopping centres, before grabbing a pint ahead of the match in the Aviva, where you can be sure more canvassing will happen …
Some news just in from Sinn Féin – the party has selected a second candidate, activist Caroline Hogan, to contest the Kildare North constituency alongside Réada Cronin. “We are asking voters to give us the chance to show what change looks like. We have the ambition, the determination and the policies to deliver real and meaningful change,” Hogan said this morning.
The first posters are appearing across the country, ahead of time, to no one’s surprise …
We have an update from Jack Power here who is in Budapest at that informal European Council meeting. Housing is going to be one of the big themes of this election and the Taoiseach is already being tackled on the Government’s record.
There’s our Political Editor Pat Leahy on the RTÉ Claire Byrne show. He says that Simon Harris plans to canvass after his trip to the Áras and will also attend the rugby tonight before … more canvassing.
So what’s happening this morning? The Labour Party are launching their housing policy – we had a flavour of it on our front page this morning. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has rounded up the party’s general election candidates and they will speak to the media in Dublin at 11.30am. People Before Profit are also unveiling a 15m banner on the Liffey which will read: “End 100 Years of FF/FG – Another Ireland is Possible”.
Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray from the political staff reported this morning that the Government is set to come under intense pressure on housing as the Opposition targets its record in the opening days of the general election campaign.
The Opposition will launch a range of housing policies, starting on Friday, while elsewhere there is fresh criticism of the Coalition’s recently agreed home building targets from a member of the Government-appointed Housing Commission which reported earlier this year.
Ronan Lyons, associate professor in economics at Trinity College Dublin, welcomed the introduction of the targets, which aim to deliver 303,000 homes by 2030, saying they brought official policy “closer” to meeting demand. However, he said that they conflated the capacity of the building sector with the underlying requirement for homes and “go directly against the recommendation of the Housing Commission, that targets be set with societal requirements in mind, separate to construction sector capacity”. Read the full story here.
Good morning – and welcome to our first liveblog of the 2024 general election! Jennifer Bray here from the political team. What should we expect today? Firstly, Taoiseach Simon Harris will fly home from Budapest where he is attending an informal European Council meeting. He is expected to address the media and then travel to the Áras to request a dissolution of the Dáil. After the writs are moved for the election comes the real fun: poster wars. Politicians and their teams will be all elbows, so watch out.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman and Tánaiste Micheál Martin opened the door to an early election in recent weeks. Although Mr Martin previously said the ideal time to hold the election was next February, he later softened his stance. Speaking to The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast in mid-October, Mr Martin said that he was open to having a pre-Christmas election once certain pieces of key legislation were passed. Mr O’Gorman, meanwhile, said his preference was for a late November polling date.
Mr Harris’s language about holding an election also subtly changed. In the summer, he ruled out a snap election, but in recent weeks he said it would be called “when the work of Government is finished” and “in a manner that is collegiate”. After a conversation with his fellow Coalition leaders, he said he would move “swiftly” to call the election once the Finance Bill, which gives effect to the measures announced in Budget 2025, was passed.
Speculation about an early general election became heightened after this summer’s local and European elections where Sinn Féin took less than 12 per cent of the national vote, while Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil performed better than expected and emerged as the two biggest parties in local government.
Mr Harris came under pressure from within his own party to consider calling an election sooner than next March. That pressure intensified when polling showed his own personal approval rating shooting up by 17 points to 55 per cent in September.
Sinn Féin, meanwhile, promised it would act on a review of the local elections to better prepare for the general election and run an appropriate number of candidates. The party now intends to field about 70 candidates. The number needed for a Dáil majority is 88.
Taoiseach Simon Harris will call a snap general election today with a three-week campaign culminating on polling day, November 29th.
Following months of intense speculation that he was planning to go to the country before the Government had served its full term, Mr Harris will go to Áras an Uachtaráin and ask the President to dissolve the Dáil after returning from a meeting of EU leaders in Budapest this morning.
Once Michael D Higgins has granted a dissolution of the Dáil, a general election must be held within 30 days. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien will set the polling date for Friday, November 29th.
The campaign is expected to focus on housing, health, public spending, the cost of living, immigration policy and climate.