Taoiseach Simon Harris will formally request that President Michael D Higgins dissolve the Dáil this Friday afternoon, officially triggering a General Election.

Mr Harris, who is in Budapest since Thursday, November 7, at the European Political Community Summit, will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin upon his retun and set in motion a General Election campaign for the 34th Dail.

He’s expected to make a statement at Government Buildings around mid-afternoon, before his visit to President Higgins to request the current Dáil be dissolved.

The soon-to-be outgoing Taoiseach is expected to immediately hit the campaign trail in Dublin, as the November 29 date already set for voting leaves only a three week window for canvassing.

However pro-Palestinian campaigners are asking President Higgins not to dissolve the Dáil until the Occupied Territories Bill is passed by Oireachtas.

A letter sent to the President signed by groups including Mothers Against Genocide, Irish Lawyers for Palestine and South Kerry Friends of Palestine, identified the Occupied Territories Bill as “the single most important and effective action that Ireland can take at this time”.

“We hope dear President Higgins that you can be the final contributor to getting the Occupied Territories Bill enacted now,” the letter concluded.