The Taoiseach has confirmed that he aims to call General Election 2024 later this week.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Simon Harris said he expects the election campaign to officially begin by the end of the week.

He said hopes to see the Finance Bill, which gives effect to the measure in the Budget, passed over the next 48 hours, alongside some other “important pieces of legislation”.

“Once that's out of the way, I do intend to seek a dissolution of the Dáil this week,” he said.

“I don't think that will come as a shock to any person right across this country.”

“I don’t think this will come as a shock to anybody in this country.”

The Taoiseach has confirmed that he plans to call the #GeneralElection later this week.

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) November 5, 2024

Mr Harris said there will then be time for a full election campaign this month – with successful parties then handed an opportunity to try and form a Government over December and the Christmas period.

“I'm really looking forward to the weeks ahead,” he said. “This is a great country and it can be even better.

“We now have significant resources at our disposal; we have significant policies and plans and I believe with a mix of energy and experience, we can make really good progress over the next few years on a whole range of issues.”

Earlier, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin also said he expected to see the Dáil dissolved later this week.