Electoral Commission moves to register IRB Home Affairs as political party

The Registrar of Political Parties, Art O’Leary, has given formal notice that he proposes to approve the application of IRB Home Affairs for registration in the Register of Political Parties, so that it may contest local elections across the State. The notice is made under section 49 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 and is published in Iris Oifigiúil No. 91 of 13 November 2026. It appears twice in the issue, in English at item [G-8] and in Irish at item [G-4], and the notice itself is dated 11 November 2026.

A Doolin address with a statewide remit

The applicant is identified by its address rather than by officers or policies: Ballyvara House, Doolin, Clare, V95 K440, given in the Irish text as Teach Bhaile Uí Bháire, Dúlainn, Contae an Chláir. The electoral scope sought is national — the notice states the purpose as standing “to contest Local Elections across the State”, not in any single local authority area.

The elements of the notice are:

• Issuing authority: the Registrar of Political Parties, An Coimisiún Toghcháin / The Electoral Commission.
• Legal basis: section 49 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
• Applicant: IRB Home Affairs, Ballyvara House, Doolin, Co. Clare, V95 K440.
• Purpose stated: to contest local elections across the State.
• Status: a proposal to approve an application, not a completed registration.
• Publication: Iris Oifigiúil, No. 91, Friday 13 November 2026.

Proposal, not decision, in the official wording

The operative language in both versions is prospective. The English text reads that “I propose to approve the application for registration in the Register of Political Parties”, while the Irish text uses the equivalent formula “go mbeartaím an t-iarratas ar chlárú i gClár na bPáirtithe Polaitíochta a cheadú”. No closing date for representations is set out in the published notice, and no decision granting registration is recorded.

The two versions are signed separately. The English notice carries the name Art O’Leary, Registrar of Political Parties, for An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission, dated 13 November 2026. The Irish notice is signed Art Ó Laoghaire, Cláraitheoir na bPáirtithe Polaitíochta, for An Coimisiún Toghcháin, dated 13 Samhain 2026.

Where challenges go after a Registrar’s decision

The Act provides for appeals to the Electoral Commission against decisions of the Registrar of Political Parties. The same gazette shows how that channel has been used during 2026: in Iris Oifigiúil of 31 July 2026 the Commission published notices under section 51(3) of the Act recording appeals brought under section 50(1), (2) and (3) against a decision of the Registrar given on 22 June 2026. Those appeals were lodged by Fergus Nolan and by Hermann Kelly, and the Commission stated that they would be considered and its decision published in due course.

Those notices were issued in the name of Ms Justice Marie Baker, Chairperson of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission. They confirm that the appeal stage sits with the Commission itself rather than with the Registrar whose decision is under challenge.

What it means for voters and candidates

Registration would put the name IRB Home Affairs on the statutory register and allow it to stand candidates under a party label at local elections throughout the country, rather than in one council area. The 13 November 2026 issue of Iris Oifigiúil carries no other political party registration notice, so this is the only application of its kind in that edition.

Source: Iris Oifigiúil, No. 91, 13 November 2026, section I (official reference: [G-4]; English-language text at [G-8]).