March election date thought likely

It is thought likely that the Taoiseach Brian Cowen will name a March date for a General Election, to allow time for the legislative framework for Budget 2011 to pass into law.

Speaking tonight after an emergency meeting of Fianna Fáil ministers sparked by the Green Party's call for a General Election to be called in the new year, the Taoiseach said the country's future depended on Budget 2011's being passed.