The European and local government elections are to be held on Friday, June 5th, it was confirmed today.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley made the announcement this evening.
It is expected that the Dublin South by election, caused by the death of former Fianna Fáil minister Seamus Brennan, and the Dublin Central by election resulting from the death of Independent TD Tony Gregory, will be held on the same day.
Poll hours for the elections on June 5th will be from 7 am until 10 pm in the evening in order to maximise the turnout. Over three million people will be entitled to vote according to the new register of electors, which will apply at the elections, will come into force on February 15th .
There are four European election constituencies and 258 local election constituencies. The number of European Parliament seats in Ireland will be reduced from 13 at present to 12. Dublin has lost one of its four seats and the country is now divided into four three-seat constituencies.
Every person aged 18 years or over is entitled vote in the local elections in the electoral area where they ordinarily reside, whether or not they are Irish citizens.
When it comes to the European elections all EU citizens living in this country, as well as Irish citizens, are entitled to vote as long as they are included in the register of electors.
People can check whether they are registered on the website
www.checktheregister.ieand application forms can be downloaded from the site.
Application should be made to the county or city council for the area where the applicant is resident so as to be received no later than Monday May 18th.
