Fianna Fáil preparing for general election after giveaway October budget

One senior party member suggested the Government had to call an election after October's budget as 'anything longer is madness'

Fianna Fáil announced a list of promises, including a move to free universal childcare, reductions in tax as well as increases for pensioners and carers at the party's ard fheis over the weekend. Picture: Gareth Chaney

The Fianna Fáil party is preparing for a pre-Christmas election despite promises from new Taoiseach Simon Harris the coalition would run its full term.

Ministers are now working at speed to deliver the remaining big-ticket items before the Dáil summer recess in a bid to have significant achievements to point back to during an election campaign.