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Updated 10.40am
THE GENERAL ELECTION will be held on 26 February.
The Taoiseach tweeted the date after leaving the Dáil, where he told deputies that he was heading to the Phoenix Park.
He also posted a video message on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/endakennyofficial/videos/vb.191561217557399/966858483360998/?type=2&theater
Before he left, the Taoiseach held a photocall with Tánaiste Joan Burton outside Government Buildings and told the media: “This is not goodbye”.
http://vine.co/v/iJJUBM501Q6
He then departed for the Phoenix Park with Burton waving him off:
http://vine.co/v/iJJUKBeAgdU
President Michael D Higgins and Kenny signed the dissolution order at Áras an Uachtaráin just after 10.30am.
The announcement kicks off a three-week campaign – one of the shortest in the history of the State – in 40 constituencies across the country with 158 seats up for grabs.
The Dáil is set to resume on 10 March after the formation of a new government.
Speaking to the chamber this morning, Kenny wished all “those members of the house who are not seeking re-election… every success and happiness in the future”.
To those contesting the election, he said:
I wish all other members well in their endeavours to return to the house.
Who’s in the running?
Fine Gael and Labour, who formed the largest Dáil majority in the history of the State in 2011, are seeking re-election.
Fianna Fáil is hoping to recover from its historic loss of more than 50 seats in 2011 while Sinn Féin will be looking to increase its current Dáil presence of 14 seats.
The Anti-Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit are running on a joint platform. The election will also feature a number of new parties including Renua and the Social Democrats.
There are a handful of smaller parties also contesting as are dozens of independent candidates all over the country, including a grouping of current deputies and councillors calling itself the Independent Alliance.
The Green Party will be seeking a return to the Dáil having lost all six of its seats in the last election.
- additional reporting from Paul Hosford and Sinéad O’Carroll
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They’re supposed to be elected as public representatives. What could be more important than meeting this person.
Simple Simon running for cover again and using another outrage towards Irish women as cover. What a waste of space…..
Jesus Christ but can’t women in this country catch a break…
@Vigo The Carpathian: considering a lot of men on here are voting No and even joke about our bodily autonomy (not to be mixed up with theirs which is taken for granted). No.
Maybe the fact that this latest information is mainly about older women is a factor in his decision not to bother meeting them or their representative ? So perhaps the minister is ageist as well as incompetent ?
He’s a journalist for heavens sake, how would he even remotely have any idea what the hell is going on with women’s problems like this & be able to give any reassurance to these unfortunate women?
Well due to the appalling mess that is the HSE the minister is clearly a very busy man, running from one emergency to the next. At least there are no fatalities associated with this one. BTW whats with the Journal telling me this post “This may be perceived as toxic 4.2/10″ would you not take a flying one……
@Austin Rock: That’s just typical of a man to make such a statement, have you in any way , any idea what these women suffer, but sure hey “ there’s no fatalities “ so it’s grand!
@Colette Kearns: to be fair he said no fatalities associated with this one in reference to the smear test debacle in with there are fatalities. In no way did he say it’s ok because there are no fatalities
@Dave O Keeffe: He showed he doesn’t have a clue about the issue, the pain and suffering women have to go through when problems arise. All he’s concerned about is excusing Harris ignoring these women.
I do agree with him about this “Toxic” rubbish that apperars while i’m typing a comment.
That’s shameful of Harris and he wants us to vote and hand over the 8th too! VOTE NO
@Maeve Wall: ah look another new account
@Maeve Wall: go away.
I wonder what advice could any of the female journalists on here give to men with problems with their prostate or similar . Funny how nothing like that is going on (t g ) but it’s always the women that suffer. As the saying goes “ it’s a mans world “ & they want to keep it that way. ( thankfully not all men tho)
Can’t help but notice the way J.B. Is standing!!
What was so important that it had to be cancelled? Is the matter being raised too soon after the cervical cancer scandal and Fine Gael is trying to create some time distance between one and the other?
.
Further breast examination tests taken previously, have been reported to up questioned also. This too is being kept on a profile by a certain group of newspapers – little or no reporting. The public deliberate left in the dark again?
Bloody hell our health system has a serious problem treating women for female specific issues. Is the woman’s body a new thing to the HSE?
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