In order to request the dissolution of Ireland's Dail parliament, Mr. Harris will go to Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of Irish President Michael D. Higgins, on Friday.

The Taoiseach expressed his excitement about launching the campaign after important pieces of legislation were passed.

Mr Harris said: “It’s my intention then to seek dissolution of the Dail by President Higgins on Friday.”

“As I would have discussed with the other coalition leaders, it’s my hope that we will have polling day on this country on November 29.”



Less than an hour after his coalition partner-turned-campaign adversary Micheal Martin announced that the election would be held on Friday, Mr. Harris made the statement after weeks of refusing to be drawn on the election date.

The eagerly awaited announcement will formally begin a brief campaign that will only last a few weeks.

After the Irish Government advanced legislation it had determined was a top priority to complete after the October Budget, it ends the parliament's session just months short of its maximum five-year mandate.