Background
Following the bailout of Irish banks and the deteriorating state of Irish debt that led to the Irish financial crisis, the Irish government were forced to take a bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund amid fears of a wider European sovereign debt crisis contagion. The European Financial Stability Facility then offered Ireland a multi-billion euro offer to help alleviate its debt burden.
Such a move was widely condemned in Ireland, with The Irish Times criticising Fianna Fáil because despite its "primary aims the commitment 'to maintain the status of Ireland as a sovereign State'...The Republican Party’s ideals are in tatters now."
Following the acceptance of the deal on 21 November 2010, the Green Party leader, John Gormley called for the taoiseach to fix a date for a general election in the second half of January 2011, however, he added that the party would support the coalition for the "coming weeks and months." The Labour Party and Fine Gael called for an immediate election in order to seek "political certainty." On 22 November 2010, Taoiseach Brian Cowen indicated that the election would take place in early 2011 after the 2011 budgetary process has been completed that was a prerequisite to the bailout. There were fears that the election call could trigger another credit downgrade for Ireland.
On 16 January, Cowen announced his decision to stay on as Taoiseach and to lead Fianna Fáil into the general election. On 18 January he won a leadership challenge within the party which had been precipitated by revelations of two previously undisclosed meetings with an Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán FitzPatrick, with a majority of the 71 Fianna Fáil deputies supporting him. Foreign Minister Micheál Martin resigned despite saying he would offer Cowen "full support." However, following criticism within his party following his failed attempt to carry out a reshuffle of Fianna Fáil ministers, he announced his resignation as leader of the party on 22 January. He confirmed he would remain as Taoiseach until after the election.
The key dates were:
| Tuesday 1 February | Dissolution of the 30th Dáil and campaigning officially begins |
| Thursday 3 February | Last day to request a postal or special vote |
| Tuesday 8 February | Last day to register to vote |
| Wednesday 9 February | Last day to file nomination papers |
| Thursday 24 February | Campaigning officially ends |
| Friday 25 February | Polling day |
| Saturday 26 February | Counting of votes begins |
| Wednesday 9 March | 31st Dáil assembles |
Read more about this topic: Irish General Election, 2011
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