THE HIGH-PROFILE by-election in Dublin Bay South is set to take place on 8 July.
The writ (written order) was moved in the Dáil this afternoon, formally starting the campaign to fill the seat vacated by departing Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will sign the polling order confirming the date of the vote.
Polls on the day will be open from 7am to 10.30pm.
The by-election has already garnered significant interest, with all of the major parties contesting the vote and informal canvassing already taking place.
Councillor James Geoghegan will be seeking to hold onto the seat for Fine Gael, with the other government parties in the mix also running local councillors – namely Deirdre Conroy (Fianna Fáil) and Claire Byrne (Green Party).
On the opposition side, Labour Senator Ivana Bacik is seeking a seat, with Sinn Féin choosing Lynn Boylan as its candidate and People Before Profit nominating Brigid Purcell, while the Social Democrats has selected Sarah Durcan.
The by-election follows the resignation of Eoghan Murphy who resigned in April after sitting as a TD since 2011.
Three of the constituency’s four seats are currently held by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews and Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’ Callaghan.
The by-election will see candidates battle to take the fourth and final seat.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said yesterday that he expects the election to be a “shoot out between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin”.
The constituency, which was established in 2013, captures much of south Dublin city centre and surrounding towns: Rathmines, Terenure, Harold’s Cross, Rathfarnham, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount, Ranelagh, and Ringsend.
With reporting by Lauren Boland
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