Enda Kenny expected to announce election today with polling to be held on a Friday

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is widely expected to call the general election today, with a Friday polling day likely.

A Fine Gael ministers’ meeting, which normally happens pre-Cabinet on Tuesday, was moved to last night, during which Mr Kenny discussed the party’s manifesto in detail. It is expected ministers will be told the date of the election at this morning’s cabinet meeting.

President Michael D Higgins has left his schedule free today and tomorrow, fuelling further speculation. In order to call an election, Mr Kenny must go to Áras an Uachtaráin, in Phoenix Park, to ask the President to dissolve the Dáil.