Although the Government has more to achieve, an early general election in autumn could be a “good time”, according to Fine Gael TD Josepha Madigan. 

Fine Gael came out strongly at the local and European elections last week, gaining the highest amount of first preference votes on a local level and electing four candidates to the European Parliament. 

The unexpected gains made by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have increased speculation for an early general election. 

The Irish Times reported today that there is a push within Fine Gael to have a vote between October 18th and October 25th 

Fine Gael TD and former Minister of State Josepha Madigan said she couldn’t be sure when Taoiseach Simon Harris might call an election. 

“From my own perspective, I think autumn probably will be a good time to have an election,” she told The Anton Savage Show. 

“But we can see why the Government wants to bed down its policies and finish what we're doing.” 

She noted the Government only recently passed the Land and Development Act in the Dáil, and “there's still quite a lot of work to be done in the programme for Government”. 

Deputy Madigan also noted the results of the local and European elections might not indicate how a general election will go. 

“We did so well in the local and the European election, but that's not to say that that's the same beast as a general election,” she said. 

“They are very different elections - we saw that in 2019 and in 2020, when we did well in 2019 and then in the general election, not so much. 

“First of all, a lot of the councillors would have a community that will come out and vote for them. 

“Whereas the general is really about policy and the overall national strategy that you want for your country.” 

Elections and budgets

Irish Independent political reporter Gabija Gataveckaite also noted that a “giveaway Budget” might not help the Government as some expect. 

"A giveaway budget doesn't really result in any big bounce electorally,” she said. 

“So perhaps this is just like a politician’s way of thinking that doesn't actually translate into reality.” 

Sources have said an election in October would take place before the clocks change, allowing candidates to canvas while it remains bright outside. 

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