General election at end of 2024 a 'no brainer' for Coalition, says Bertie Ahern

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. File Picture: PA

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said an election at the end of 2024 is a "no-brainer" for the current Coalition.

Mr Ahern has also suggested that a cap on the number of TDs, which would require constitutional change, should be examined.

Speaking at the General Liam Lynch commemoration in Kilcrumper, Co Cork, Mr Ahern said he does not believe the current Government will remain in place for its entire five-year term, which is due to run until early 2025.

Instead, he said it would be the obvious choice to call an election late next year.

"It's not the date that the new Dáil forms - it is [from] the date of the election. So therefore, it's a no brainer – it would have to be a 2024 election. 

"Because you wouldn't want to go into 2025 because you're only going five or six weeks into 2025 - something Christmas Eve or a good day like that," he joked.

The number of TDs will go up by 14 after the next general due to an increasing population. 

However, Mr Ahern signaled that continuing to increase political representation in line with expected jumps in the population should be examined.

Mr Ahern has also said that he would be against increasing the number of seats in constituencies to six or even seven, which has been suggested.

"I’ve represented threes, fours and fives [seater constituencies] in my time. I got three out of five on two occasions but any bigger than that in my view is not representative,” he said.