Michael Noonan won’t rule out early election

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has placed further scrutiny on the prospect of a snap November election after saying the Government has “two windows” to choose when to call the vote.

Mr Noonan, who is known to be in favour of calling the election before Christmas, declined to rule out the possibility of an early run to the polls while announcing the last exchequer returns before the budget.

Speaking during the launch at the Department of Finance, Mr Noonan parted ways with other cabinet members who have repeatedly said the election will be held in 2016 — he says the coalition has two windows which are “before Christmas or after Christmas”.