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Appeal Related to the Ireland First Party Concluded

17 July 2026 – The Board of An Coimisiún Toghcháin has today published its decision under Section 51of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 in an appeal of a decision of the Registrar of Political Parties (‘the Registrar’).

The appeal taken by Ms. Maguire and Mr. Blighe challenged the decision made by the Registrar under Section 50 of the Electoral Reform Act on whether the particulars of the party’s authorised officials were to be changed. 

The appeal and associated documentation were furnished to Ms. Herraty who had lodged the original application to amend the Register, and she provided a response.

In its decision the Board of An Coimisiún Toghcháin (“the Board”) allowed the appeal of Ms. Maguire and as a result the authorised officers for Ireland First remain unchanged in the Register of Political Parties for the reasons set out in the decision of the Board.

The Board decided that a meeting of the party’s executive committee was not validly constituted and the meeting of its members was flawed on account of the inadequacy of notice provided of the meeting. The decisions taken at the meetings were therefore not validly taken and not operative. 

By section 51(4)(d) of the Act of 2022 the decision of the Board is final and binding.

– ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Brian Dawson, Communications and Public Affairs Manager,

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission,

Brian.dawson@electoralcommission.ie / 086 0749344

Editor’s Note: The decision of the Board of An Coimisiún Toghcháin is available to download

The registration of political parties

  • The registration of political parties function held by An Coimisiún Toghcháin is set out in Chapter 6 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
  • The Registrar of Political Parties is the chief executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Mr. Art O’Leary.
  • Parties can apply to be registered as a party organised in the State to contest Dáil, European or local elections. To be registered they must meet the criteria set out in legislation.
  • More information on the registration process, and the necessary application forms are available on the Commission’s website at: https://www.electoralcommission.ie/what-we-do/electoral-operations/