Once again, the moment has arrived for the people to decide Ireland's future, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today, announcing his decision to seek a dissolution.
Mr Ahern said much had changed in the last decade, since Fianna Fáil came to power.
He pledged to give the Irish people the campaign they deserve: a campaign of issues and policies, not insults and attacks. 'I am more interested in attacking problems than attacking people', Mr Ahern said.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said he was obviously delighted that the election had been called.
'Fine Gael has been waiting five years for this opportuninty,' he added. He said he was really looking forward to travelling around the country meeting Fine Gael candidates and the public.
The Tánaiste and Progressive Democrat Leader Michael Mc Dowell said he was not surprised by the decision of the Taoiseach. He said the Taoiseach kept him fully informed of his intentions in the past number of weeks.
The PDs became the first party to publish a full election manifesto, promising to lower taxes, help families, make stamp duty fairer, reward pensioners, provide better healthcare, be tough on crime, and protect the environment.
Mr McDowell said a challenging 24 days lay ahead for the people of Ireland. He said the future of the country was up for grabs. He said the real issue was whether Ireland remained focused on maintaining its growth and prosperity.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said this was the most important election in in recent years and would also be the most open contest in decades.
Green Party Chairman John Gormley described the Taoiseach's decision as his last broken promise.
John Gormley said that the Taoiseach had said there would be a summer election, and that he was surprised he had not kept his word.
He again ruled out a pre-election deal with Fine Gael and Labour, saying that the Greens had a clear mandate to compete as an independent party, but said that they would negotiate with others following the election.
Sinn Féin Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald welcomed the decision, and said her party was ready for government North and South.
She said that for Sinn Fein the election would be about public services, and called for wise investment in crucial services.
Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin looked forward to an energetic campaign, adding that they had been ready for the contest for quite some time.
Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins said that after five years of right wing government the Taoiseach could not have called the election early enough.
He predicted that his party and independents would do well, because the establishment parties had nothing different to offer.
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