Who calls a general election?
In practice the Taoiseach decides. The Taoiseach advises the President to dissolve the Dáil, and the President normally does so. In rare cases the President may refuse to dissolve the Dáil on the advice of a Taoiseach who has lost the confidence of a majority of TDs.Taoiseach vs President.
An election is also forced when the Dáil reaches the end of its life. The law limits a Dáil to five years from its first meeting, so the current Dáil, which first met on 18 December 2024, must end by December 2029.
From dissolution to a new Government
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Dissolution | The President dissolves the Dáil on the Taoiseach’s advice. Every TD becomes a candidate again. |
| 2. Polling day | Set by order, within 30 days of dissolution. Voters must be on the register and aged 18 or over. |
| 3. The count | Counts start after polling day, usually the next morning, in each constituency. PR-STV transfers votes until every seat is filled. |
| 4. First meeting | The new Dáil must meet within 30 days of polling day. TDs elect the Ceann Comhairle. |
| 5. Taoiseach nominated | TDs vote on who to nominate as Taoiseach. The President appoints the person nominated. |
| 6. Government formed | The Taoiseach nominates Ministers, the Dáil approves the Government, and the President appoints them. |
The election in 2024 was held on 29 November, and the 34th Dáil first met on 18 December 2024. The coalition of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and independents took office on 23 January 2025.How a Government is formed.
How voting works
- Voters rank candidates 1, 2, 3 and so on, rather than choosing just one.
- Each of 43 constituencies elects three, four or five TDs.
- A candidate who reaches the quota is elected, and their surplus votes transfer to the next preference.
- The lowest candidate is eliminated and their votes transfer, until every seat is filled.
- The outgoing Ceann Comhairle is returned automatically without a contest.
To vote you must be an Irish citizen or a resident who qualifies, on the register of electors, and 18 or over. Only Irish and British citizens can vote in Dáil elections.Who can vote in Ireland.
For a full explanation of the count, see the PR-STV guide.PR-STV explained.
After the count: coalition, minority or majority
Irish elections rarely give one party a majority, so the parties negotiate a programme for government, and sometimes a coalition. Talks can take weeks. The outgoing Government stays on in a caretaker role until a new one is appointed.
If a TD dies or resigns between elections, a by-election fills the seat.Dáil by-elections.
What happens on count day?
Irish ballots are paper and are counted by hand, in public, at a count centre for each constituency. Candidates, agents and the media watch every stage, which is why counts are followed so closely on television.
Boxes are opened and mixed
Ballot boxes from every polling station are opened, papers are counted against the records, and then mixed so no area’s votes can be identified.
The quota is calculated
Valid votes are divided by the number of seats plus one, and one vote is added. Anyone who reaches that number is elected.
First preferences are counted
Each ballot goes to the candidate marked 1. Tallymen from the parties sample boxes to predict the result early.
Surpluses are transferred
Votes an elected candidate does not need move to the next preference, in proportion to how those ballots are marked.
The lowest candidate is eliminated
If no one reaches the quota, the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their ballots transfer at full value.
Repeat until every seat is filled
Counts continue round by round. Close contests can trigger a recount, which is why some seats take days to settle.
Your ballot keeps working after your first choice is elected or eliminated.
What do people get wrong about Irish elections?
Common assumption: The party with the most seats forms the Government.
In fact: The Government is formed by whoever can win a Dáil vote for Taoiseach, often a coalition of parties and independents.
Common assumption: You have to number every candidate.
In fact: You can stop after one preference or keep going. Just use numbers, not an X or a tick.
Common assumption: Voters elect the Taoiseach.
In fact: Voters elect TDs. The Taoiseach is nominated by a Dáil vote and appointed by the President.
Common assumption: You can vote at any polling station.
In fact: You vote at the station listed for your address on the register, shown on your polling information card.