The General Election will be held before the end of the year, the three coalition leaders have agreed.

The leaders of the Green Party, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil met last night to discuss a potential date for the poll.

After a lengthy meeting at Government Buildings, they failed to announce a precise date – but agreed that the election will be held before Christmas.

After the meeting, a spokesperson said the leaders were focused on getting the Finance Bill, which gives effect to the Budget, passed through the Oireachtas.

The bill is due to enter committee stage on November 5th.

That could then be passed the following day, paving the way for the election to be called that week.

The campaign must be between three and four weeks long, leaving November 29th as the most likely date.

The vote may still be held a week later on December 6th.

Additional reporting from Michael Staines.

Main image shows election posters outside Government Buildings in 2020. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo