'If it was my decision': Bertie Ahern says general election should take place mid-June this year

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has suggested a general election would take place in June if the decision were up to him.

If it was my decision, the election would be in mid-June when it is warm and it is bright till half ten at night. But that is not going to happen,” he said, speaking to reporters at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre this Saturday afternoon.

People will need to have a warm pair of gloves as he believes it will be the last Thursday or Friday in February, Mr Ahern said.

However he reaffirmed that he believes "this government will now run the full-term".

The former Taoiseach said he has been canvassing with party candidates ahead of the local and European elections.

“Every election is a challenge,” he said, adding that there is six weeks of hard work ahead, but that the reception on the doorsteps has been good.

He also wished newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris well.

"He has a lot of experiences. He was in health, which is a hard ministry for four years. He was higher level education," Mr Ahern said.

"He’s been in in finance. So he was chairman of Wicklow County Council, so he’s a lot of experience. He might be 37, but he still has put in a lot of years. So I wish him well."