‘I like elections on a Friday,’ says Taoiseach but polling date not revealed

Taoiseach Simon Harris has hinted that the upcoming general election will be held on a Friday, narrowing the possible dates it could be held.

The three coalition party leaders agreed to hold a pre-Christmas election following a meeting on Monday evening.

Mr Harris would not be drawn on exactly when the election will be when pressed several times, but said the public will know “at least three weeks in advance”.

The Taoiseach, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman agreed on Monday night to prioritise the passage of the Finance Bill before going to the electorate.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Fine Gael leader Mr Harris said he has “a fair idea” of when the election will be held.

He said: “I’ve a very good idea, but obviously the Finance Bill does need to be passed, that requires – and I don’t take this for granted at all – the work of the Oireachtas, that’s not entirely within our control, the Finance Bill deserves proper scrutiny and work.

“I will decide, in line with the constitution, the appropriate date to have the election.

“I like elections on a Friday. Friday is a good day to have an election. So therefore, there’s not that many Fridays to choose from.

“But right now, it’s important that people put their shoulders to the wheel in this place (Government Buildings) and in Leinster House and get the people’s work done, get the Finance Bill passed.

“We have a very busy agenda this week.”

Mr Martin said the passage of the Finance Bill “will determine a lot” and said the election date would either be Friday November 29 or December 6.

Asked what legislation he would like to see passed before an election, the Fianna Fail leader said: “The Mental Health Bill, I would have wished to (see passed), but I think there are significant amendments to come on that, it might not even be ready for February.

“The Defamation Bill, again, has challenges, but I would like to see that move on to committee stage, if at all possible, in the lifetime of this Dail.”

He said it would be “challenging” to pass the Occupied Territories Bill in the lifetime of this Government.

Mr Martin said: “That would be challenging, to be fair, because it will need substantive amendments. But I’m going to talk to the author of the Bill, today I’m outlining to Government the areas that need amendment.

“But I think the significant point is the Government is not saying it’s against progressing this, the Government is actively seeking a pathway to progress the issue of preventing trade or imports from the illegal occupied territories.”

Green Party leader Mr O’Gorman said that the criteria outlined by the coalition leaders – an election on a Friday in 2024 once the Finance Bill is passed – “fairly limits the range of potential dates”.

Asked whether immigration would dominate the election, Mr O’Gorman said it is coming up a lot less during canvassing than it had been in the first half of the year.