Leo Varadkar calls for election to be delayed until 2020

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has for the first time publicly called for a general election to be delayed until at least 2020, warning that Brexit means politicians cannot continue to put the country at risk by “second guessing” each other over the date of the vote.

Mr Varadkar said there is no legitimate reason to call a general election now other than to take advantage of opinion polls. He failed to rule out suggestions he is using Brexit to handcuff Fianna Fáil into extending the confidence and supply deal.

Speaking in Venice, Italy, on the third of a four-day trip to continental Europe to shore up EU support for Ireland’s Brexit position, Mr Varadkar confirmed he does not favour holding an election either this year or in 2019.