A Government Minister has said he would be ‘shocked’ if the General Election is not called for next month.
Despite widespread speculation the election would be held in November, Government leaders have for months insisted it would not be called until 2025.
That position has softened noticeably in recent days with the Tánaiste Micheál Martin yesterday saying he would not object to a November poll, while this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he wanted Government to finish ‘work that is underway’ before calling the date
Speaking in Dublin this afternoon, Junior Minister Ossian Smyth said everybody is “ready to go” for November.
“We’re four years and eight months into a Government and by law, in Ireland, elections have to happen within five years, so it has to happen in the next weeks and months,” he said.
“So, I think every TD is expecting it is going to happen in November.
“I would be shocked if it doesn’t; Everybody is ready to go.
“If it goes on until February, that’s fine too but really, we’re at the end, it is a matter of weeks and months away when we’re going to have our election.”
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Reporting from Stephanie Rohan and Jessica Woodlock.
