Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday the general election would be held "shortly" as speculation mounted he would dissolve the Dáil between now and next Tuesday for a May 24th poll. Miriam Donohoe, Political Staff, reports.
Mr Ahern said he always promised that "once we hit summer" we would have an election. "So it's nearly summer. The election will be in the summer." The Taoiseach said he heard that both journalists and politicians were on "tenterhooks".
"The election will be shortly. The calling of it is just a technicality. People shouldn't be worrying about this. The election will be shortly. People can take that for certain. They shouldn't be getting themselves excited."
A Fianna Fáil spokeswoman confirmed that all party staff, as well as Government advisers who are taking holidays to join the campaign, moved yesterday to the election headquarters at Treasury Buildings. The team will be headed by director of elections PJ Mara.
There is no urgent business on the Dáil schedule for next week circulated yesterday. The Dáil is due to resume at 2.30pm on Tuesday with questions to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Defence.
The second stage of the Roads Bill 2007 is due to be debated after Leaders' Questions and the order of business. Other legislation listed for Wednesday and Thursday are the Charities Bill 2007 and the Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007.
The Seanad is also sitting next week and will continue to sit until polling day.
The strong expectation is that the Taoiseach may dissolve the Dáil at the start of business on Tuesday afternoon. Some Fianna Fáil backbenchers said yesterday they will not be in the Dáil next week.
"As far as I am concerned, the campaign is on. There is no urgent legislation listed and unless I hear from the whip, I have no intention of travelling to Dublin to be in the Dáil next Tuesday," said one.
President Mary McAleese is out of the country on an official visit to the US from Sunday to Friday, but in her absence the Dáil can be dissolved by the Presidential Commission consisting of Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Rory Kiely and Chief Justice John Murray.
Yesterday Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said it is entirely for the Taoiseach to decide when the election will be called. "That is his prerogative and I respect that." His focus was on the decision of the people whenever that election date was called. "So be it in a week's time, a fortnight's time, the Fine Gael party is ready." Mr Kenny also challenged the Taoiseach to join with him in a television debate during the campaign. "I am prepared to discuss the affairs of the nation with the Taoiseach anytime, anyplace and anywhere."
However, Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte accused the Taoiseach of "dithering" on the calling of the election, saying he had probably intended to call it for May 17th but didn't when he heard of the bad news in The Irish Times opinion poll.
"You can rely on it that the information in The Irish Timesis not a surprise to an organisation with the resources of Fianna Fáil. They have had their private polling and their deputies are very dispirited, as you know."