Declaration day for election hopefuls

Candidates for the forthcoming general election must officially declare themselves by noon today.

Each Dáil hopeful must be an Irish citizen and at least 21 years of age by polling day.

Voting will take place between 7.30am and 10.30pm on May 24.

Candidates, who can withdraw their nominations up to noon tomorrow, must present 30 signatures or a €500 euro deposit.

Meanwhile, day 10 of campaigning continues today with Fianna Fáil unveiling proposals on job creation and protecting industries of the future.

The Progressive Democrats’ policy on the elderly, Security and Dignity For Older People, will be launched by Minister for Health Mary Harney.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will be canvassing in Laois/Offaly – where he will visit Portlaoise Prison – and in Galway East.

Justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe will also brief media on Fine Gael’s plans to increase garda numbers to 15,000, introduce tough new sentencing measures and re-balance the criminal law in favour of the victim.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte will be touring some of the Cork constituencies today.

Several of Sinn Féin’s election candidates will be travelling to Stormont as guests at the power-sharing inauguration ceremony.

Greens leader Trevor Sargent will visit candidates in Wicklow as well as Carlow/Kilkenny.