This year’s early budget is not a sign that there will also be an early General Election, the Taoiseach has insisted.

The Department of Finance has announced Budget 2025 will be held on October 1st, instead of October 8th. 

Broadcaster and former Fine Gael cabinet minister Ivan Yates said it was “clearest sign that you could ever get” the Government had decided to hold a November poll, instead of waiting until 2025. 

The Taoiseach speaking this afternoon saying the early budget is "absolutely not" an indication of an early election.

"We're going to have an election next year" says Simon Harris

— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) July 4, 2024

Speaking this afternoon, however, Simon Harris rejected those claims, insisting there will be no Dáil dissolution this year. 

"We're going to have an election next year," he said.

"That's the plan, I've said it many, many times it's my intention for this Government to run its full term."

Mr Harris said there was a simple explanation for the new budget date.

“It’s been long known among party leaders and Ministers for Finance that the EcoFin meeting - the meeting of European Finance Ministers - will take place on the 8th October,” he said. 

“Therefore, it simply makes sense to have the Budget on 1st October. 

“Outside the media and political bubble, I can tell you what people in Ireland will be much more interested in is not the date of the budget but the substance of the budget. 

“Certainly, that’s where my attention and focus is going to be in the weeks and months ahead.” 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said last month he believed the electorate would “punish” coalition parties if an early election was called.

Main image: Micheál Martin, Simon Harris and Eamon Ryan. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie