Taoiseach Simon Harris said "the time is now right to ask the Irish people to give a new mandate," as he confirmed that a general election would be held in Ireland on Friday, 29 November.
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00:00Ireland's Prime Minister, or Taoiseach, Simon Harris triggered the start of the 2024 general election
00:08after he confirmed that he requested a dissolution of the current Irish Parliament.
00:13In a short address in Dublin, Harris thanked his colleagues in the centre-right Fine Gael Party
00:18as well as coalition partners Fianna FĂĄil and the Greens,
00:21though he acknowledged they did not agree on every issue.
00:25This election must be a safe and respectful campaign for all politicians and all their teams
00:33and I wish all candidates luck.
00:36Finally, I ask just one thing of the Irish people.
00:40Value your vote.
00:42Use your voice.
00:44That's how this country works.
00:46It's how we listen.
00:47It's how we act on your behalf.
00:50Ireland's President must now approve Harris' request to dissolve the Parliament,
00:54though this is only a formality.
00:58The country is in the middle of a housing and cost of living crisis,
01:02two topics that will be major concerns for voters as campaigning begins in earnest.