Election campaign to formally start today as Taoiseach set to dissolve Dáil

It will bring to an end the four-and-a-half-year lifespan of the historic Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Green Party coalition government.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris at Aras an Uachtarain meeting the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins (PA)

The General Election campaign will formally begin later on Friday when Taoiseach Simon Harris asks the President of Ireland to formally dissolve the Dáil.

The dissolution of the Government will trigger the start of what will be a relatively short three-week campaign ahead of polling day on Friday November 29.