An Taoiseach Simon Harris has announced that he will officially seek the dissolution of the Dail, officially kick-starting the General Election campaign.
He announced that he will meet with President Michael D Higgins to seek an official dissolution of the Dail this afternoon, a request that is expected to be granted.
This means that a three-week campaigning blitz is ahead for candidates ahead of the General Election date, which is expected to be on the 29th November.
The Government will look to take advantage of strengthened polling numbers in recent months, while Sinn Fein remain the biggest opposition challenge to the current Fine Gael/Fianna Fail/Greens coalition.