President’s role in political stalemate

President Michael D Higgins can only refuse a dissolution of the Dáil if asked to do so by the acting Taoiseach and has no other official role to play in times of political stalemate.

The President has absolute discretion to decline to dissolve the Dáil and allow for a general election if asked to do so by the Taoiseach.

However, there is an acknowledgment in certain quarters that the President cannot repeatedly refuse to dissolve the Dáil if asked on numerous occasions to do so.

If Mr Higgins is to decline a requested dissolution, it is not anticipated he would give a reasoning or rationale for doing so.

Other actions

Sources suggested that if Mr Higgins were to do so, it would set a precedent that would then mean the President would be pressured in future to explain other actions he might take, such as convening the Council of State to consider a Bill.

Mr Higgins is understood to be keeping abreast of the political situation but it is not envisaged that he will make any public statement on the matter.