Election 'before the clocks go back' favoured among politicians

One minister suggested the Government must call an election after October’s budget, as 'anything longer is madness'

Half of Simon Harris' Fine Gael favour going to the polls before the end of the year, whereas members of Eamon Ryan's Green Party believe the Government should run to the end of its term. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Government politicians are preparing for an autumn election, with the majority of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members eager to go early, according to an Irish Examiner poll.

Almost two-thirds of Fianna Fáil TDs, ministers, and senators surveyed want a general election in the autumn, while exactly half of Fine Gael members also favour going to the polls before the end of the year.