Polls point towards coalition No.14 after general election is called in Ireland

Ireland’s prime minister has called a general election on 26 February. Enda Kenny went to the official residence of the president, Michael D Higgins, to request the dissolution of parliament. With the number of seats reduced from 166 to 158 and boundaries changed in all but one constituency, the outcome is harder than ever to predict. Polls suggest the election will result in the 14th coalition government since Dail Eireann (Ireland’s parliament) was established.

Five years ago Ireland’s economy was close to collapse. (Now) our public finances are back on track, our economy is growing again… and there is no more bailout. This election is about who will keep this recovery going

Enda Kenny, prime minister

The liberal conservative Fine Gael party has held office with Labour for the past five years. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the leader of Fine Gael, has already been campaigning on the need to sustain the economic recovery. However, Labour, led by Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) Joan Burton, is likely to highlight her party’s role in last year’s historic vote for same-sex marriage and to pledge another referendum on abortion. Fianna Fail in the centre right - the former republican party - once dominated Irish politics but lost 58 of its 78 seats last time.

This is a choice between whether you want a society that is fair and equal or more of the same

Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, which fared well last time

ireland election