[1] The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011 stipulates that a by-election in Ireland must be held within six months of a vacancy occurring.

[5] Sinn Féin selected Darren O'Rourke, a medical scientist who worked as a health policy advisor to Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD.

[6] On 5 March, the Green Party selected Seán Ó Buachalla as its candidate, a youth club development officer,[5] while Direct Democracy Ireland announced that their leader, Ben Gilroy, would be contesting the election.

[9] There were four independent candidates: Charlie Keddy, Mick Martin, Gerard O'Brien and Jim Tallon.

Workers' Party candidate Seamus McDonagh said the Prime Time editor had no "consistent criteria" for this decision, and criticised the lack of an invitation to even sit in the audience despite having, he said, the support of several TDs.