ieExplains: Who can run for president and what does the president do?

In order to run for president there are several criteria a person must meet.

To be eligible, they must be an Irish citizen and have reached the age of 35.

Once these requirements are met they must receive the support of at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or the backing of at least four local authorities — city or county councils.

If a former or current president wishes to run for a second term they can nominate themselves and put themselves forward for re-election.

Having met the criteria above, the person officially becomes a candidate for president and will have their name on the ballot come election time.

It's worth noting that the candidates are hit with a €750,000 campaign spending limit and all spending must be accounted for by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).

There are also limits on how much an individual can receive in campaign donations which also must be reported to SIPO.

Who can vote for president?

To vote, a person must be an Irish citizen as well as being 18 years old by the time of the election.

They must also be ordinarily resident in Ireland and must be registered to vote.

How does a presidential election work? 

The election must take place no earlier than 60 days before the current president's term of office expires. If a sitting president resigns, is removed from office, becomes incapacitated or dies, then an election must be held within 60 days.

Two presidents have resigned from office — Mary Robinson in 1997, and Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh in 1976.

Erskine Hamilton Childers was the only president to die in office, in 1974. 

Voting is held at polling stations across the country and is based on proportional representation by a single transferable vote system (PRSTV).

Most people will cast their ballot at one of these stations, however, postal voting is available to people who are unable to vote in person.

Special arrangements are also made for Irish officials or military personnel to cast their ballots via mail when serving abroad.

If there is only one candidate nominated for the office of president, an election will not be called and the candidate will automatically assume office following their inauguration.

What happens when a person is elected?

The winning candidate will take their oath of office in St Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle in front of members of both Houses of the Oireachtas, members of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and guests.

The term of the presidency is seven years and a person cannot serve more than two terms. 

Áras an Uachtaráin, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, is the official residence and workplace of the president. 

What is the job of the president?

The president is first and foremost the country's head of State.

The president is a representative of the Irish people both at home and abroad; undertaking state visits and receiving other heads of state on visits to Ireland. In their role as head of State, the president has the power to summon and dissolve the Dáil, on the advice of the Taoiseach.

The president appoints the Taoiseach on the nomination of the Dáil and Government ministers on the nomination of the Taoiseach. They also appoint attorneys general who would have been nominated by the Taoiseach.

The president serves as Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence Forces, with officers holding commissions from the president.

Bills passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas are presented to the president for their signature and will only become law once the president has signed.

The president can also choose to send the bill before the Supreme Court which can either rule that it is unconstitutional and cannot be signed or they can hold that it is constitutional and once signed the bill cannot be challenged at a later stage.

Following the passing of a referendum the president must also sign the approved amendment to the Constitution for it to be approved. For more information on the role of the president see Articles 20-27 of the Constitution.

Can a president be removed from office?

Two situations could see a president removed from office.

At least five Supreme Court judges can decide that the president has become permanently incapacitated and is no longer able to hold the office.

Or, either house of the Oireachtas — Dáil or Seanad — can vote to impeach the president for "stated misbehaviours" including a criminal offence or misuse of the powers of office. See Article 12 (10) of the Constitution for more information.