Tánaiste plays down reports of suggested election date made by Stephen Donnelly

By Cate McCurry, PA

The Tánaiste has played down reports that a party colleague and fellow Cabinet Minister suggested the general election will be called next week.

Micheál Martin said there was “work to be done” before the three Coalition party leaders sat down to talk about the impending general election.

It comes following reports that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly predicted that polling day would happen in early November.

It was claimed that the Fianna Fáil Wicklow TD told a selection convention that he expected the general election to be called next week.

But Mr Martin said that commentators should consider the logistics of passing through legislation before speculating.

“He [Stephen Donnelly] had just come through a convention. I’d say he wants to galvanise the troops and his canvassers. He joins many people who are speculating,” the Fianna Fáil leader said.

“In my view, the Finance Bill has to be done first, Again, three party leaders will, in the fullness of time, discuss this.

“The logistics are important. I mean, we now look like the Gambling Bill can be done. I want the Mental Health Bill done, that’s important, if we can. And then you have the Finance Bill and Social Protection Bill. The work has to be done and I’m not sure all of the commentators are looking at the logistics to getting all that done.”

Asked if the party leaders would meet next week to talk about a date, Mr Martin said he met Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman every week.

“I’ve said enough about elections,” he added.