Tánaiste: Fine Gael not looking for election this summer

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said Fine Gael does not want a general election this summer — but has admitted that the nature of minority governments means his party will “have to be ready” to go to the polls.

Mr Coveney made the comments amid speculation as to whether Fianna Fáil will break the confidence and supply agreement it made with the Government by supporting or abstaining from any potential motion of no-confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.

“Fine Gael isn’t going to be threatened by opposition parties like Sinn Féin threatening no-confidence motions,” said Mr Coveney at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cork University Hospital.