 
                                    So far, 37 candidates have been declared across the midlands.
The 33rd Dáil has officially been dissolved.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has left Áras an Uachtaráin, after asking President Michael D. Higgins to kick-off the general election campaign.
As things stand, there are 37 candidates declared for the general election across the midlands.
There's 17 in Longford-Westmeath, 10 in Laois and 10 in Offaly.
Both Laois and Offaly are expected to provide plenty of intrigue after the controversial departure of Brian Stanley from Sinn Fein, and Eddie Fitzpatrick's decision to run as an independent in after Fianna Fail selected Claire Murray to run with Tony McCormack.
The General Election will take place on the 29th of November.
Sean Defoe was at Aras an Uachtarain for the announcement earlier today:
Micheal Martin says he’s looking forward to meeting constituents, and claims he ‘loves’ campaigning.
The Fianna Fail leader is again ruling out a future coalition with Sinn Fein, saying although multi-party systems give good diversity, they wouldn’t work together:
 
                             
                             Emergency Services At Scene Of Westmeath Car Fire
            Emergency Services At Scene Of Westmeath Car Fire
         Westmeath Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
            Westmeath Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
         Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
            Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
         Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
            Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
         Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
            Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
         ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
            ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
         Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
            Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
         IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur
            IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur 
         Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
            Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
         Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
            Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
         Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
            Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
         Westmeath Gardaí Confiscate €7k In Illegal Cannabinoids
            Westmeath Gardaí Confiscate €7k In Illegal Cannabinoids
         Laois Councillor Honoured For 40 Years Of Public Service
            Laois Councillor Honoured For 40 Years Of Public Service
         Laois Man Appears In Court After €8m Cocaine Find
            Laois Man Appears In Court After €8m Cocaine Find
         Revenue Offering Help For Couriers After Fastway Closure
            Revenue Offering Help For Couriers After Fastway Closure
         Anonymous Westmeath Man Donates Unclaimed Cash To Charity
            Anonymous Westmeath Man Donates Unclaimed Cash To Charity
         Offaly Fianna Fail Councillor Adds To Scrutiny Of Taoiseach
            Offaly Fianna Fail Councillor Adds To Scrutiny Of Taoiseach 
         Midlands Macra Clubs Shine In National Awards
            Midlands Macra Clubs Shine In National Awards
         High Court To Decide On Seizing Cars Used By Enoch Burke
            High Court To Decide On Seizing Cars Used By Enoch Burke 
         Man Charged Over €8m Cocaine Seizure in Laois
            Man Charged Over €8m Cocaine Seizure in Laois