Prospective presidential candidates have until September 28th to secure a nomination, it was revealed today.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan confirmed the election date of October 27th and encouraged anyone not on the electoral register to ensure their details are recorded.
Every Irish citizen who is 18 and included in the register of electors for a constituency is entitled to vote at the election.
The total electorate stands at 3.1 million.
Four candidates are currently in the race — Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, Labour’s Michael D Higgins, and independents Sean Gallagher and Mary Davis.
Mr Gallagher and Ms Davis need to secure the support of either 20 Oireachtas members or four councils to secure a nomination.
Former Eurovision winner Dana is also expected to declare whether she wants another bid for the presidency.
The retired GAA broadcaster Michéal Ó Muircheartaigh last week became the latest personality to rule himself out of the race for the Aras, following on from Gay Byrne.
Senator David Norris, who had been leading opinion polls, withdrew his candidacy from the presidential election earlier this month.
PA