Taoiseach set to call general election before Christmas
The Taoiseach is set to call a general election before Christmas as the three coalition leaders meet on Monday to discuss the timing of going to the polls.
A number of key items of legislation, including the Gambling Bill and the Maternity Protection Bill, are expected to pass through the Oireachtas this week as the Government moves to clear the decks ahead of an election.
November 29, which Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman suggested last week, is now the most likely date.Â
However, the leaders are not expected to make the final decision public after they meet on Monday evening.
Simon Harris has said he now expects to go to Ăras an UachtarĂĄin to seek dissolution of the DĂĄil "in 2024".
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âI have no wish to surprise my colleagues if the Government works well and I want it to come to an amicable end.Â
"Iâm really looking forward to seeking a mandate from the people of this country and asking them to allow me to continue as their Taoiseach."
He added: "Itâs important the Government concludes its work. We have to get the Finance Bill passed â I donât think anyone would appreciate you knocking on the door saying thereâs an election if you havenât got the income tax cuts through and the USC changes and the inheritance tax changes."
The DĂĄil goes on recess next week, with the Finance Bill expected to pass through the Oireachtas the following week, allowing the Taoiseach to mount a quick three-week election campaign immediately after.
Mr Harris also signalled the need to agree new housing targets, which could be signed off by Cabinet as early as next week.
âI think itâs really important that when we go into the new year, we have clarity on how many homes weâre going to be able to build in our country over the next five years. Thatâs absolutely vital."
Speaking in Wicklow, Mr Harris said: âIâm conscious it is ultimately my constitutional prerogative. Thatâs something I take seriously but the election wonât be far away at this stage."
Meanwhile, Fianna FĂĄil has appointed Finance Minister Jack Chambers as its director of elections.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Chambers said: âWe are very ambitious for the future, with strong tickets across the country.Â
"Our focus remains on delivering meaningful change and ensuring we continue to represent the needs of communities nationwide.Â
"As we move toward the next chapter, we are committed to building a better future for all, addressing key challenges, continuing to build economy, support workers and businesses and growing prosperity."
It comes as the latest poll puts Fine Gael in a good position as the most popular party on 24%.
Independents and Labour have also gained slightly, however support for Fianna FĂĄil (19%) and Sinn FĂ©in (16%) have seen a marginal drop.
The Social Democrats (5%), the Green Party (4%), People Before Profit/Solidarity (3%) and AontĂș (2%) have all remained unchanged in the latest poll.
The fall in Sinn FĂ©in support comes as the party continues to be questioned on four separate controversies.
Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has called on Sinn FĂ©in leader Mary Lou McDonald to correct the DĂĄil record after she provided "completely wrong" information about a teenage victim and a former Sinn FĂ©in senator.
She accused the party of attempting to hide reasons as to why their former senator Niall Ă Donnghaile resigned for over a year.
âLast week, the Sinn FĂ©in leader admitted after repeated questioning, incorrectly, that a 17-year-old made a complaint about an inappropriate message from their party leader in the Seanad.
âThere is nothing correct about this. Despite Sinn FĂ©in repeatedly giving the false age at the time of the communications and complaint, we have established, through the teen himself, he was 16," she said.
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