The next presidential election will be held on October 26th it has been confirmed.
In an announcement the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy said a formal order calling for an election was signed on Tuesday.
Candidates who wish to contest the election will have to be nominated by September 26th.
In order for them to contest the election candidates must receive nominations from four local authorities or 20 members of the Oireachtas.
If successful in both receiving a nomination and winning the election, the winning candidate will be become the next President of Ireland on November 11th.