Coalition flashpoints emerge as 22-day election campaign kicks off 

Faultlines open up between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as opposition parties also launch plans for the general election 

Simon Harris will go to Áras an Úachtaráin later today, Friday, to request that President Michael D Higgins dissolve the Dáil. This will trigger the general election which will be held on November 29. Picture: PA WIRE

Taoiseach Simon Harris is about to officially begin a 22-day general election campaign to decide the 174 seats in the next Dáil, with flashpoints already emerging between the coalition parties.

Mr Harris will return from a meeting of European political leaders in Hungary on Friday afternoon and travel to Áras an Úachtaráin to ask President Michael D Higgins to dissolve the Dáil ahead of a November 29 polling date.