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.

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) (PA Wire)

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.