LAST UPDATE | 18 Oct

GREEN PARTY LEADER Roderic O’Gorman has said he wants the general election to be held on 29 November.

Speaking today, O’Gorman said it was his preference to hold the election before Christmas.

He said: “I think the 29th is the date to go.”

O’Gorman said he will be telling the other two coalition leaders on Monday about the need to “give clarity” to the public.

The Taoiseach appeared to push back against O’Gorman’s intervention this afternoon, insting the holding of a vote was his decision. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said: “It is the Constitutional prerogative of the Taoiseach to call a general election. The Taoiseach has consistently stated he will engage with the coalition leaders before deciding. He has also consistently stated he will not do that through the media.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Harris echoed O’Gorman’s language, saying he would “bring clarity” to the situation “shortly”.  

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also weighed in on O’Gorman’s call for an early General Election, telling reporters: “I would agree that there’s a need for clarity at this stage, but I think that this is something that we can deal with next week. I’m not going to get into specific dates.”

Martin added that, in his view, there are two “potential moments” in which an election can be held – late November or the beginning of December, or in February. 

He said that the matter of the Finance Bill will dictate the timeline, and said that if all key legislation is passed through as intended, “the difference between December and February isn’t huge.”

The Children and Equality Minister said: “I’ve been out on the doors even just last night and I’m starting to get the sense that people are getting a little tired of the ‘will they, won’t they’.

“Probably now is the time to give some degree of certainty to the Irish people in terms of the election date.”

O’Gorman added: “My preference is for a November election, on November 29. I think that gives us the opportunity to get those final pieces of legislation through.”

In a post on social media this evening, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it’s time for Harris “to give the people clarity on when they will have their day and say”.

“Whatever the date, this election presents you with a clear choice,” she said. 

“A choice between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s repeated failures in housing, health, childcare, the cost of living and waste of public money or a new government of ambition, delivery and hope led by Sinn Féin.

McDonald added: “The countdown is on. We’re ready!”.

Earlier this week, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he is considering what date would be “the best interest for Ireland” while refusing to be drawn on whether that would be before Christmas.

Harris had previously said the government should “go full term” before an election is called, however election speculation has been rife in political circles, with the majority predicting an election before 2025. 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said earlier this month that the government had yet to complete its mandate, and that there is “very important work to finish which cannot be rushed”.

The Social Welfare and Gambling bills, as well as hate crime legislation, passed all stages this week, further adding the to speculation that an early election is coming.  

In addition, a planned trade mission to Poland, which the Taoiseach was to lead, has been cancelled.