Politics watch: More election talk, Apple windfall, Budget 2025

James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

General election pressure

The question that has been hanging over Taoiseach Simon Harris since he took up the role has been the timing of the next general election.

Mr Harris continues to insist the Government will serve its full term to March 2025, but this seems increasingly unlikely.

November has been mooted as the best time to call an election, and sources have indicated that many of Mr Harris' colleagues hope that will be the case.

While there has been background noise about this for a long time, it has intensified in recent days.

An Irish Examiner/Ipsos poll published today found Fine Gael is the most popular party in the country, with Mr Harris' party staning at 27 per cent.

Coalition colleagues Fianna Fáil stood on 22 per cent, with Sinn Féin on 18 per cent.

These figures will surely intensify calls from within Fine Gael for an election sooner rather than later.

Mr Harris was also the most popular among party leaders with a satisfaction rating of 6.21 out of 10. Tánaiste Micheál Martin's rating was 5.72 and Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald received a rating of 4.29.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Martin dismissed what he called “hot air” speculation on the timing of the next general election.

He said he believed the Government should go to full term, and named February as his preference for polling day.

Meanwhile, Ms McDonald said all parties in Ireland are planning for a November general election.

The timing of the next election will be a topic of interest around Leinster House when the Dáil resumes on Wednesday, September 18th.

Budget 2025, Apple windfall

All eyes will be on Budget 2025. With the budget to be announced on October 1st, any announcement on the general election is likely to come afterwards.

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has said a “general direction” for the spending of billions of euro in taxes from Apple will be set out in the autumn.

He said it would take a number of weeks to assess the estimated €14 billion of funds, but emphasised again that it would not be used for day-to-day spending.

Opposition parties are likely to push the Government on the funds, and outline how they would spend them given the chance.

Sinn Féin said it would set up a €1 billion fund for infrastructure projects in disadvantaged areas.

Mr Chambers has promised the average worker will be around €1,000 better off after Budget 2025.

Abroad

In the UK, the death of eight migrants attempting to cross the English Channel has brought the migration issue to the fore of public debate again.

British prime minister Keir Starmer is currently on a visit to Rome, where his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni said he has shown "great interest" in the Italy-Albania migration deal.

In the US, the presidential debate has been overshadowed by another assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump.

How the suspect, Ryan Routh, got so close to Mr Trump on his Florida golf course, is likely to pile further pressure and scrutiny on the US Secret Service.