Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.
Michael O'Leary's teachers joke
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has come under criticism for saying he would not hire teachers to “get things done” at a Fine Gael event at the weekend.
Mr O’Leary was endorsing Minister for Enterprise and Fine Gael candidate Peter Burke in the Longford–Westmeath constituency, adding that he would give his second preference to Fianna Fáil candidate Robert Troy.
The comment prompted angry statements from teachers unions, while Fine Gael figures have rushed to distance themselves from Mr O'Leary's comments.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said: "“I think the comments made were crass, they were ill-informed. I’m pretty annoyed about it."
He said the Dáil was not like running a company and was “meant to be reflective of society”.
He also pointed out that former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former finance minister Michael Noonan were both teachers before entering politics.
“Teachers are the people that we can trust with our most precious possessions: our children, I know that in my own house. And there’s not that many people who can stand up in front of a classroom for five seconds and last, let alone for the full day, for the full week, full month, it is a tough job.
“It’s an impactful job, and I have nothing but respect for teachers.”
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil take shots at each other
While the coalition government ended on relatively good terms, the parties are now taking shots at each other at every opportunity as they enter full election mode.
While there is a very good chance they will end up in government together again, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are now looking to emphasise their differences.
Fianna Fáil, led by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, a former teacher, have looked to profit from the controversy surrounding Mr O'Leary's comments.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael suggested their coalition partners have pledged to legalise the personal use of all drugs in their manifesto. Fianna Fáil clarified that their policy pledge referred only to cannabis.
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice and Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee has criticised Fianna Fáil's manifesto.
She said it is "full of uncosted promises but contains so little substance".
“It’s quite remarkable that after spending the last five years in Government, Fianna Fáil has today produced a manifesto that contains so little substance.
“The Fianna Fáil document is riddled with promises that are so incredibly vague – which is disappointing for a party that claims it wants to lead the next Government.
“The lack of detail in the manifesto is nearly as extraordinary as the fact that the document is full of bizarre costings. For example, Fianna Fáil claims it will generate savings of €3 billion from ‘tax compliances and efficiencies.’ That’s ten times the actual figure in the latest Budget.
“How exactly did the party arrive at that costing? This is the type of back-of-the-matchbox-style politics that really could set Ireland backwards and scupper the economic progress that we have made in recent years.”
Sinn Féin looks to bounce back
Opposition party Sinn Féin has not looked to insert itself in the Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil drama.
This is perhaps a smart move as Mary Lou McDonald's party looks to bounce back from recent scandals, and poor poll performances, in the election.
Ms McDonald has pledged to start tackling USC rates in her party’s first 100 days in government if it wins the election.
The party is running 71 candidates across all constituencies in Ireland in the poll later this month in a bid to oust both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil from government for the first time in decades.
At a candidate launch at the Communication Workers’ Union in Dublin on Monday morning, Ms McDonald pledged to abolish the universal social charge (USC) for the first €45,000 of people’s incomes.
Repetition in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil adverts
Analysis of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil's social media advertisements for the general election shows a lot of repetition when it comes to issues and slogans.
With the general election now confirmed for November 29th, Fine Gael has published 180 paid ads this month in comparison to 560 Fianna Fáil ads.
Analysis from Damien Mulley of Mulley communications, shared with BreakingNews.ie, shows Fine Gael has honed in on what the party can do for 'you and your family', while Fianna Fáil has promised 'delivery' on a number of issues.
Fine Gael's ads were all identical with two versions of a similar message: "[Candidate's Name] has been working hard for you and your family. Vote No.1 [Candidate's Name]", and "[Candidate's Name] knows the issues that matter most to you and your family. Vote No.1 [Candidate's Name]".
The majority of Fianna Fáil candidates promised 'delivery' on housing and cost of living.
The other issues mentioned in Fianna Fáil adverts are healthcare, childcare, crime prevention/safer communities, public transport, just transition, and supporting local businesses/farm families.
Fine Gael's cheapest ad cost between €100 and €199, while the most expensive was between €1,500 and €2,000. Fianna Fáil's cheapest ad was less than €100, and the most expensive was between €800 and €899.
Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch confirms Dáil bid
After much speculation, crime boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has confirmed he will run in the general election.
Mr Hutch told the Sunday Independent: "“I am running as a candidate in Dublin Central. I will be the people’s choice. They will vote for me. They have asked me to run, so I am."
Mr Hutch, 61, is currently out on €100,000 bail after being arrested in a money laundering investigation in Lanzarote.
He will be running against a number of sitting TDs in the Dublin Central constituency including Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald, Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats and the Green Party's Nessa Hourigan.
Abroad
In the UK, a proposed assisted dying bill is being debated. Campaigners have been pushing for the legislation for a long time, but there is a lot of opposition to it.
On a visit to Paris, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer made a pledge of "unwavering support" for Ukraine along with French president Emmanuel Macron. It comes amid huge uncertainty over Ukraine's position in the war with Russia after Donald Trump's US election win.
In the US, Mr Trump is in the process of appointments to his cabinet and other important administration roles. The two most high-profile positions so far are Susie Wiles, Mr Trump's White House chief of staff, and Marco Rubio's reportedly imminent appointment as US secretary of state.
