General Election this year is Taoiseach's 'expectation'

20 Oct 2024, 15:40 by Mary Regan, https://www.facebook.com/rtenews/ · RTE.ie

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he expects the General Election will be held in 2024.

He said there "will be a General Election soon" but it is important that the Government completes its work by getting the Finance Bill passed.

Mr Harris also said he wants the Government to first set its new housing targets:

"It is really important as we go into the new year we have clarity on how many homes we are going to be able to build in our country in the next five years, that is absolutely vital."

He said: "It is my expectation now that there will be a General Election in 2024. It is my prerogative under the Constitution to seek that dissolution.

"I have been very clear though that I want to do it in a respectful manner. I have no wish to surprise my coalition colleagues this government works well and I want it to come to an amicable end

"Then I am really looking forward to seeking a mandate from the people of this country and asking them to allow me to continue as their Taoiseach."

Tánaiste Micheal Martin said that he hopes clarity will be brought at some stage this week around the general election.

"The Taoiseach will discuss this with Roderic and myself tomorrow and other political parties are getting ready for a general election, lets be honest about that," the Fianna Fáil leader said.

"I do accept a need for clarity now for the public," he added.

But Mr Martin said that the "Finance Bill is the key pillar of legislation that has to be got through the Dail to put flesh on the bone of the Budget".