What is a bye-election? Why are they called? It is time for another news2day Explainer, with thanks to RTÉ's Political Correspondent Barry Lenihan.
In the video above, recorded by Barry at Leinster House, we learn all about them and some key parts of the Irish political system overall too.
A bye-election is an election to fill a Dáil seat that has been vacated in between general elections, and we have one taking place very soon.
Voters in Dublin Central and Galway West are set to go to the polls on 22 May. These represent the 137th and 138th bye-elections since the foundation of the Irish State.
This RTÉ News article from Barry is full of information about the upcoming bye-elections.
Tune in to news2day weekdays at 4.20pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player during the school term.
Visit www.rte.ie/news2day for more from the show.
