Any move to trigger election will not be surprise to coalition partners – Harris

By Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Washington DC

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that any move to dissolve the Dáil and trigger a general election will not come as a surprise to his coalition colleagues.

Mr Harris also said he will speak to his Government colleagues in the weeks ahead about pushing through their final pieces of legislation before ending its term.

Amid intensifying speculation the Government may be poised to trigger an autumn election, Mr Harris has continually insisted he is focused on the Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Green Party coalition going full term – which would mean an election in early 2025.

Speaking in Washington DC, Mr Harris said: “I’ve been crystal clear, that even though it is my constitutional prerogative and mine alone to decide when to ask President (Michael D) Higgins to dissolve the Dáil, that I will do so in a manner that doesn’t come as any surprise to my coalition colleagues, and that is courteous, that is respectful, and that I will engage with my coalition colleagues, and then we’ll all move forward together.

“I’ve been very clear in relation to the election.

“I’ve outlined that there is a number of pieces of work that the government needs to get done.

“We’ve had a budget. We’ve yet to give effect to much part of that budget.

“That requires the Social Welfare Bill being passed. It requires the Finance Bill being passed.

“We saw the Planning Bill passed yesterday, very significant moment.”

He added: “I’ve been clear, I’d like to see the housing target set. I’ve also been clear I’d like to see the mental health and the defamation legislation significantly progress.”

Last week’s budget included €8.3 billion in tax changes and new spending measures and was accompanied by a set of cost-of-living supports worth €2.2 billion.

Probed on whether he is informing his coalition partners about a pre or post-Christmas election, Mr Harris said: “When I speak to my coalition colleagues, I speak to them directly, and they know that.

“And, I hope, (that’s) their experience of working with me, and it’s my experience of working with them.

“I’ve consistently said, as I’ve heard the other coalition leaders say, that we want the government to finish its work, want the government to end well.

“The determination as to when the work is finished and how the government ends well is something that I will discuss with my coalition colleagues in the weeks ahead.”