I have always understood that the Taoiseach's wish was to go the full term," the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said in Waterford yesterday when asked about an autumn election.
"He has shown his determination to do that on many occasions, and I believe there is still the determination. But when you get to the summer, when the Dail is closing after four years, it's inevitable you will have speculation that there will be an autumn election. I personally don't believe there will be."
Ms Harney said she was not in favour of an autumn election. She believes the Government should deliver its fifth Budget and that there is uncompleted work on the Government's programme.
Currently, a strategic review of the health services was being conducted. "I believe it's important the Government would have finalised that before any election.
"There are also special commitments in relation to old age pensioners and child benefit. So there is a huge part of the social and economic programme to complete.
"It's very much work in progress. I personally feel we need to complete more of our programme before we seek a renewed mandate," she said.
"I don't anticipate there will be an autumn election. I just don't believe there will be. I think we intend to deliver our fifth Budget and be the first government for an awful long time to have five budgets. I believe we should deliver our fifth budget and I believe that is the intention of the Taoiseach and members of the Government."
Ms Harney said they also had to establish the Forum for Europe. "It's important that that is in place and well established so we can discuss the future of Europe and Ireland's role in Europe. Certainly, the logistics to put the forum in place will not be completed by the autumn."