Taoiseach Simon Harris refuses again to rule out pre-Christmas election
The Fine Gael leader told the Irish Mirror there is “no mention in Bunreacht na hÉireann” that states he must provide the media with “hourly updates of his thinking” on the election date.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has once again refused to say if the general election will be in 2024 or 2025.
The Fine Gael leader told the Irish Mirror it would be “disrespectful” to Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman to provide a “running commentary” on the date.
He also said there is “no mention in Bunreacht na hÉireann” that states he must provide the media with “hourly updates of his thinking” on the election date.
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This is despite the fact Mr Harris has repeatedly refused to state whether the election will be this year or next.
As the Government unveiled Budget 2025 on Tuesday, the opposition accused them of a “giveaway” that the coalition hoped would win them an election.
Mr Harris told the Irish Mirror that it was a pre-election budget.
“I reckon no matter what was in [the] budget, I reckon the headlines were written,” he said.
“I reckon the opposition speeches were written and I reckon the narrative was going to be, ‘This was a giveaway budget’.
“I reckon no matter what we did, people were going to say it's a pre-election budget because it is a statement of fact. It is a pre-election budget in the sense that it is the last budget before the general election. That is the definition of a budget that takes place pre-election. But it's also a budget that actually plans for our future.
“This is a balanced approach at a time the country's going well, giving people a little bit of their own money back and planning for the future of our country and also setting money aside for the future too.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Tánaiste Micheál Martin once again restated his desire for an election in February.
Asked by the Irish Mirror if he agreed, Mr Harris said that it would be “utterly disrespectful” to provide a “running commentary”.
“The Constitution doesn't ask that I provide hourly updates to the media on my thinking in relation to the [election], with the greatest of respect. There is no mention of that in Bunreacht na hÉireann,” the Taoiseach said.
“It's my constitutional prerogative to call the election. I have been very clear in relation to wanting to do this in a respectful way at the right time. I think this government operates very well.
“I have great respect for the two coalition leaders that I serve with and I won't be providing them with running commentaries or surprises through the media. Nor will I surprise them in relation to this.
“I want the government to finish its work. I want the government to get on with the job. The budget was only [on Tuesday]. The budget has not been enacted into law, or at least very few parts will have a lot of work to do in the time ahead.
“Government is working well, that's absolutely where my focus is. My position on the election hasn't changed.”
When it was put to Mr Harris that he should “clarify” whether or not the election would be before or after Christmas.
The Taoiseach said: “My position on this won’t change no matter how many times I’m asked the question. I want the Government to finish its work.”
He did not, however, clarify whether the election would be before or after Christmas, leading to further speculation amongst Fine Gael politicians in Leinster House on Wednesday.
Most believe that the election will be next month and will take place anytime between November 15 and 29.
One source pointed out that Mr Harris has passed up on yet another opportunity to definitely say whether the election will be 2024 or 2025.
“The fact he won’t say means it will probably be November,” another said.
The Taoiseach and Fine Gael were canvassing Dublin commuters on Wednesday morning following the unveiling of the €10.5bn Budget 2025 package the previous day.
Mr Harris said he believes the budget will “make a real difference to many people, including many families right across our country”.
“Our economy is going well. Inflation is falling. More people in Ireland have a job than ever before, but I absolutely know from travelling around the country that the cost of living challenge is very real for people,” he said.
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