Majority of Dáil wants election before the budget

THE majority of the Dáil believes Taoiseach Brian Cowen should call a general election before the December budget.

A number of his Fianna Fáil colleagues and two key independents said the Government would better serve the people by letting them vote now.

This means Mr Cowen hopes to pass the most critical budget in the country’s history against the best wishes of most TDs.