Almost 470 candidates had put themselves forward for election when the nominations closed at noon yesterday. However, candidates can still withdraw their nominations up until noon today.
The 468 candidates are competing for 165 seats in 43 constituencies. The Ceann Comhairle is automatically returned.
Fianna Fáil are fielding 106 candidates; Fine Gael 91; Labour 50; the Greens 44, Sinn Féin 41 and the PDs 30.
The Socialist Party is running four candidates.
In the current Dáil, Fianna Fáil holds 80 seats; Fine Gael 32; Labour 21; Independents 13; the Progressive Democrats eight; the Green Party six, Sinn Féin five and the Socialist Party one.
The Workers' Party is running six candidates. Eight candidates are running as part of the Fathers' Rights and Responsibilities campaign.
The Christian Solidarity Party is running seven candidates, with one of its candidates running in three constituencies.
The People Before Profit Alliance is running five candidates in the election in constituencies in Dublin and Wicklow.
The Immigration Control Platform is fielding three candidates in the election in Cork South Central, Dublin North and Dublin Central.
The constituencies of Laois-Offaly and Dublin South Central are fielding the greatest number of candidates in this election, with 16 nominations in both constituencies.
This compares with just seven candidates in constituencies such as Cork North West and Donegal South West.
A large number of Independents will contest the election.
Businessman Noel O'Gara was a surprise late entrant into the race and has nominated himself to run in four constituencies. Meanwhile, the Stardust campaigner Antoinette Keegan has withdrawn her nomination to run as an Independent candidate and has joined the Fine Gael party. She will not run in this general election.
Mr O'Gara came to public attention last year when it emerged that he had bought Dartmouth Square in Dublin's Ranelagh for a sum thought to be about €10,000.
The lease agreement between the previous owner and Dublin City Council had lapsed. He announced a variety of plans for the square, including a car park, creche and a gym. Dublin City Council has placed a compulsory purchase order on the site.
Mr O'Gara said he was running for election to highlight the need to abolish the planning laws. He said his candidacy would allow for a "mini referendum" on the issue of planning.
Mr O'Gara is running in Dublin South East, where Dartmouth Square is located. He will be competing with candidates such as Tánaiste Michael McDowell and Labour's Ruairí Quinn in this constituency. He is also running in Roscommon-South Leitrim because he comes from Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, in Laois-Offaly and in Longford-Westmeath, where he now lives. "It's up to the electorate to say if this guy is a complete and utter nutter or if I should be given a chance," he said. "Put it to the people."
Meanwhile, Stardust campaigner Antoinette Keegan said she had withdrawn from the election race because of a recent illness. She was advised not to take on such a campaign. She also said that Independent deputy Finian McGrath had been very supportive of the Stardust families' campaign and she did not want to take votes from him.
Ms Keegan said she hoped to run for Fine Gael in the next local elections instead. She said justice for the Stardust families was just one of several issues she wanted to highlight. She would also raise issues such as health and education.
