In Pictures: Politics frames the debate as Ireland holds five ballots in 2024

From the death of former taoiseach John Bruton, to the unexpected resignation of Leo Varadkar as premier, the year has been dominated by politics.

Independent TD Verona Murphy standing between an Irish and EU flags — History was made as the year drew to a close with the election of Independent TD Verona Murphy as the first female speaker of the Irish parliament (Brian Lawless/PA)

Voters in Ireland were more than usually busy in 2024, casting their ballot in five different polls – for two referenda in March, local and European ballots in June and a general election in November.

The country’s political comings and goings were further punctuated by an emotional announcement in March from former premier Leo Varadkar that he was resigning as taoiseach and Fine Gael leader. He was succeeded the following month in both roles by Simon Harris.

But the year had so much more to offer than just politics, and PA news agency photographers were on hand to capture some of the highlights.

A man dressed as a Christmas elft runs out of the water at Bray in Co Wicklow — Hundreds of people took part in the annual New Year’s Day charity swim on Bray seafront in Co Wicklow (Brian Lawless/PA)

A dog joins protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign during a march in O’Connell Street, Dublin — A dog called Buster joined protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign on a march in O’Connell Street, Dublin, in January (Brian Lawless/PA)

Former taoiseach John Bruton died aged 76 following a long illness in February (Damien Storan/PA)

A person uses an umbrella as snow falls on a tree-lined road in Dublin — Sleet and snow led to travel disruption in parts of Ireland in early March (Brian Lawless/PA)

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a visit to the home of the Boston Red Sox in Massachusetts — Leo Varadkar made a visit to the US for St Patrick’s Day in the same month he announced he was stepping down as taoiseach and resigning as leader of Fine Gael (Niall Carson/PA)

Simon Harris leaves the Dail after being elected the youngest taoiseach in the country's history — Simon Harris left the Dail after a vote by Irish parliamentarians electing him as the youngest taoiseach in the country’s history in April (Niall Carson/PA)

A woman meditates during the Bealtaine Fire Festival at the Hill of Uisneach in Co Westmeath — Thousands of people gathered for the Bealtaine Fire Festival at the Hill of Uisneach in Co Westmeath in May (Niall Carson/PA)

Count staff sort ballots at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork during a count for European elections — Count staff sorted ballots at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork during the European elections in June (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Natasha O’Brien and Ruth Coppinger join protesters outside Leinster House in Dublin — Natasha O’Brien, who was assaulted by a serving Irish soldier, told a rally in Dublin in June that she would keep up pressure on politicians to tackle violence against women (Gareth Chaney/PA)

Football fans outside Croke Park ahead of the All-Ireland Football final between Armagh and Galway — Football fans gathered outside Croke Park in July before the All-Ireland Football final between Armagh and Galway (Brian Lawless/PA)

A mural of Irish runner Rhasidat Adeleke by street artist JEKS on Jenkins Avenue, Waterford — A mural of athlete Rhasidat Adeleke was created in Waterford after she made history becoming the first Irish woman to run in an Olympic sprint final during the Paris Olympics (Brian Lawless/PA)

Emma Nott from Macroom at the Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois — The Ploughing Championships in Co Laois in September saw visitors and competitors basking in temperatures above 20C (Niall Carson/PA)

Actor Colin Farrell with his friend Emma Fogarty, running in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon — Actor Colin Farrell ran the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in October to raise money for people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic skin condition (Damien Storan/PA)

Politicians Micheal Martin, left to right, Mary Lou McDonald and Simon Harris took part in a final TV leaders’ debate on November 26, days before the General Election (Niall Carson/PA)

A woman casts her vote at Deaf Village Ireland in Dublin — A woman cast her vote at Deaf Village Ireland in Dublin as voters went to the polls in the General Election on November 29 (Niall Carson/PA)

Newly Garda graduates celebrating at the Garda College graduation ceremony at McCan Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary — Garda graduates celebrate at the Garda College graduation ceremony at McCan Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary, on December 12 (Brian Lawless/PA)