Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told Government Ministers that were will be no pre-Christmas general election in Ireland, according to a report in the Irish Times.
It is understood that the Taoiseach made the comments at the weekly pre-cabinet meeting of Fine Gael Ministers.
The statement comes after recent internal Fine Gael speculation that there could be a festive season polling day, with many Fine Gael Ministers said to be in favour of such an option.
Furthermore, the announcement of the December 12 General Election in the UK further sparked talks of an Irish election before 2019 concludes.
However, the Taoiseach’s preference of a May 2020 election is said to remain.
Some of the reasons for Fine Gael Ministers being keen on a Christmas election are said to include the “positive afterglow from the succesful Brexit negotiations”, the discomfort in Fianna Fáil over what has become known as “Votegate” and the uncertain outcome for Government TDs in the four byelections to be held next month.
