Latest update 9.30

The Dáil has been dissolved and the election date is expected to be confirmed for February 26.

The next Dáil will meet on March 10.

Latest update: 6am

The Taoiseach will formally call the General Election today.

Enda Kenny will travel to Aras an Uachtaráin and polling is expected to take place on Friday 26.

After 59 months in Government and as many rows over promises and policies in recent weeks, Enda Kenny will finally call the election today.

In just a few hours all the speculation will be over when Enda Kenny travels to Aras an Uachtarain to dissolve the 31st Dáil.

The Taoiseach – who is the father of the house as the longest serving TD - is expected to go into the chamber and inform the nation that he is calling the election.

After President Higgins signs the paperwork the campaigning will officially begin - in truth the battles for votes have been going on for months.

Polling is expected to take place on Friday 26 - meaning this will be one of the shortest campaigns in modern times.