Paschal Donohoe: General Election date up to Taoiseach alone

But party sources say FG is trying to “throw Labour under a bus” as an early election will damage Burton’s party more.

A source said: “The Tanaiste is trying to pour cold water over speculation about a November election because a few weeks isn’t enough time for Labour to fix the damage they have caused over the last five years”.

Labour, meanwhile, including leader Joan Burton, would rather see the Government complete its term of office.

“At the end of the day, constitutionally, obviously this is a decision for the Taoiseach in the Irish constitution. Our Government has a very clear plan regarding what we want our country to look like in the future”.

He said: “It’s not a case of asserting anything at all here, nor is it a case of anybody threatening anybody at all here”.

The Taoiseach is still refusing to give a date for an election, which was the subject of a half-hour meeting between the two this morning.

She again cited the need to finish the work of the Banking Inquiry and said there was a series of initiatives associated with the Budget that needed to be progressed.

On Thursday, Mr Kenny said that the chronic problem of jobless households will be ended if Fine Gael is returned to power.

He added it will be a key part of his party’s manifesto, heightening speculation of an early election.