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National Elections

Election To the Dáil
A Dáil election (general election) must be held within 30 days after the dissolution of the Dáil.The Clerk of the Dáil issues a writ to the returning officer in each consituency instructing him or her to hold an election.

The Minister for the Environment and Local Government appoints the polling day which must be between the 18th and 25th day (excluding Good Friday, Sundays and Public Holidays) after the issue of the writ. The Minister also appoints the polling period which must consist of at least 12 hours between 7:00am and 10:30pm.

Further information is available in the related document on the right hand side of your screen or on the citizens information website.

Expenditure Limits at Dáil Elections

The Electoral Act 1997 introduced, with effect from 1 January 1998, limits on the amount of expenditure which may be incurred by or on behalf of a candidate at a Dáil election. Section 3 of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, provides that these and other amounts in the Act may be varied by Ministerial order in line with movement in the Consumer Price Index.

In 2007 the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, having regard to the changes which occurred in the CPI since the last increase in 2001, made an order increasing the maximum amount which may be spent by or on behalf of candidates at Dáil elections.

The revised limits are:
· €30,150 in a 3-seat constituency;
· €37,650 in a 4-seat constituency; and
· €45,200 in a 5-seat constituency.


The previous limits were:
· €25,394.76 in a 3-seat constituency;
· €31,743.45 in a 4- seat constituency; and
· €38,092.14 in a 5- seat constituency.

The Minister also provided, in line with changes in the CPI, that the amount of election expenses which may be reimbursed to a candidate at a Dáil election is the actual expenses or €8,700, whichever is the less. The previous latter figure, which was established in 1997, was €6,348.69.


Election to Seanad
A Seanad election must take place not later than 90 days after the dissolution of the Dáil. The dates for the various stages of the election (nomination,polling etc) are appointed by order of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The elections are held on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and by secret postal ballot.

Further information is available in the related document on the right hand side of your screen or on the citizens information website.

 

Election of the President
The Irish President is elected directly by the people of Ireland for a period of 7 years.They may not serve more than two terms. A presidential election must take place within the sixty days before the expiration of the term of office of the outgoing president. If a vacancy occurs before the completion of a nornal term of office, the election takes place within 60 days after the occurrence of the vacancy. Voting is by secret ballot on the single transferable vote system.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government makes an order appointing the last day for receiving nominations, the polling day and the period for voting, which must last at least 12 hours between 7:00am and 10:30pm.

Further information is available in the related document on the right hand side of your screen or on the citizens information website.

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