Politics

President’s holiday sparks further speculation on vote date

Higgins given leave to travel to Lanzarote in Canaries between February 14th and 24th

The timing of President Michael D Higgins’s holiday has fuelled speculation that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will ask him to dissolve the Dáil before February 14th. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
The timing of President Michael D Higgins’s holiday has fuelled speculation that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will ask him to dissolve the Dáil before February 14th. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
Stephen Collins
Thu Jan 14 2016 - 01:03

President Michael D Higgins has been given permission by the Government to travel to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands for a private visit between February 14th and 24th.

The timing of the President’s holiday has fuelled speculation that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will ask him to dissolve the Dáil before February 14th.

Mr Kenny said told reporters on Monday: “I have already said the election will be held in early spring and I am sticking with that. I have a date in my head, yes. I will share that with you and everyone else when I go to Áras an Uachtaráin.”

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins is a columnist with and former political editor of The Irish Times