Harris urged to call general election this year by party colleagues

It was suggested at a Fine Gael parliamentary party that holding by-elections so close before a general election wouldn't make sense

Taoiseach Simon Harris has faced calls from Fine Gael party members to call a general election  before the winter period. Picture: Damien Storan/PA

The Taoiseach has been urged to call an election this year at a private meeting of his party.

Simon Harris told a three-hour meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party that members must continue their work following the local and EU elections.