LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago

AS THE SEEMINGLY never-ending speculation has continued to drag on, Taoiseach Simon Harris confirmed today that “there’s going to be a general election this year”.

Speaking to reporters alongside Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman this morning, Harris prefaced his confirmation by saying: “There’s no great mystery in relation to this.”

He said the Government is going to “conclude its work”, making reference to pieces of legislation that have yet to be passed. He said this would be done in “an orderly manner”. 

“I’m not going into the speculation of the day of the election… I have to keep some small element of surprise for you”, he told the media.

Harris made specific reference to the Finance Bill, saying: “I wouldn’t fancy knocking on someone’s door and saying, sorry, we forgot to pass the USC cut or we forgot to change the inheritence tax because we rushed to have an election”.

“We need to get through that Finance Bill,” he said, adding that “there is also, I believe, a need to set housing targets” because they “kick in” from January next year.

“There is a number of other pieces of legislation” to be dealt with, he said.

“So lets do that and then let’s, in an amicable, orderly fashion, then have a general election,” the Taoiseach said, adding that he was looking forward to discussing it with O’Gorman and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin later this evening.

Harris said yesterday he believes the Government will “amicably agree a time period” for the election when the coalition leaders hold their weekly meeting today.

“I’ve been very clear though that I’m going to do it in a respectful manner,” he said.

O’Gorman added to the expectation last week, saying he’d like to see the election held on 29 November.

Táinaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told reporters in Cork today that he believes the election will be fought “on issues”, rather and along traditional party lines, making reference to how votes have recently transferred between “centre-ground parties”.

“Each party will campaign individually with their individual priorities and identity,” Martin said.

He said there will not be any “formal pacts” but added that, based on previous recent elections, “transfers are fluid”. 

Speaking to reporters while campaigning yesterday, Harris said he didn’t want to “surprise” his coalition colleagues. 

“It is my prerogative obviously under the constitution to seek that dissolution,” he said.

“The Government works well and I want it to come to an amicable end and I am really looking forward to seeking a mandate from the people of this country and asking them to allow me to continue as their Taoiseach.”

Harris’ comments come in the wake of the surprise announcement by Fine Gael Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will not be contesting the next election.

The Taoiseach said Fine Gael are confident they will hold Humphrey’s Cavan-Monaghan seat and that there has been interest from a number of individuals in taking her place on the ticket. 

Despite Humphreys becoming the 18th Fine Gael TD to announce they will not be running, the timing would still appear advantageous for the Government parties as Sinn Féin continues to grapple with a number of ongoing controversies.