'I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead' - Taoiseach confirms election to be called this week

The Taoiseach has confirmed that he aims to call a general election later this week.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Simon Harris said he expects the election campaign to officially begin by the end of the week.

According to Newstalk, Harris said he hopes to see the Finance Bill, which gives effect to the measure in the Budget, passed over the next 48 hours, alongside some other “important pieces of legislation”.

It was revealed last month that the General Election would be called on Friday (November 8) for a November 29 polling date — and despite no official confirmation from the Taoiseach at the time, he has confirmed outside of Government Buildings on Tuesday that he will call for the dissolution of the Dáil this week.

“Once that's out of the way, I do intend to seek a dissolution of the Dáil this week,” Harris told reporters outside Government buildings this morning.

“I don't think that will come as a shock to any person right across this country.”

Mr Harris said there will then be time for a full election campaign this month – with successful parties then handed an opportunity to try and form a Government over December and the Christmas period.

“I'm really looking forward to the weeks ahead,” he said. “This is a great country and it can be even better.

“We now have significant resources at our disposal; we have significant policies and plans and I believe with a mix of energy and experience, we can make really good progress over the next few years on a whole range of issues.”

It has been reported that there are at least three leaders’ debates planned, with one on Virgin TV’s The Tonight Show, as well as a number on RTÉ.

According to Extra.ie, Fine Gael handlers are eager for the party to benefit from any ‘Harris hop’ and get the Taoiseach to meet as ‘many people as possible personally’.

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