Look out for visits from potential Dail candidates, smiling faces from colourful posters, and an opportunity to off-load your ‘political shopping list’ to willing public representatives in return for your vote – you’re one and only chance to make your voice heard!

The writ for four by-elections, including the Wexford seat vacated by Mick Wallace (Independent 4 Change), was moved in Dail Eireann today by Eoghan Murphy, T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government who has made an order appointing Friday 29 November 2019 as the polling day for the bye-elections. Polling will take place between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm.

To stand for election to Dáil Éireann, a person must be a citizen of Ireland and at least 21 years of age by polling day. A person may nominate himself or herself as a candidate or, with his or her consent, may be nominated by a person who is registered as an elector in the constituency concerned. A candidate not in possession of a certificate of political affiliation (confirmation that a person is a candidate of a political party registered in the register of political parties) must have their nomination completed using either of the following options: (i) by way of assents, requiring the completion of statutory declarations by 30 assentors registered in the relevant Dáil constituency, or (ii) by way of the candidate, or someone on his or her behalf, lodging a deposit of €500 with the returning officer. The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on Friday 15 November 2019. Candidates may withdraw their nominations up to 12 noon on Saturday 16 November 2019.

Current legislation now means that by-elections must be held within six months of a Dáil seat being vacated. 

Wexford TD and Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said today that these four by-elections bring us “one step closer to getting rid of this government.”

On a point of important public information. The Draft Register of Electors is on display at your County Council offices, Garda Stations, Libraries, Post Offices and online at www.checktheregister.ie until 25 November 2019.

If on 15 February 2020 you are aged 18 or over check that your name, address and other details are present and correct on the Draft Register. If there is a mistake, tell your local Council before 25 November 2019.