THE COUNTRY could be about to head to the polls as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is ready to call a snap General Election for February 7, according to reports.
The Fine Gael leader met with opposition Fianna Fáil chief Mícheál Martin for talks regarding a poll date later this year, but an agreement was not reached.
Now a source has told the Irish Mirror that the Taoiseach is ready to call a General Election for early next month if needed.
As things stand, Fine Gael have a minority within the government despite being the leading party, and require the assistance of Fianna Fáil to pass legislation-- so it was anticipated that the Taoiseach would call an early election if some form of deal with Mr Martin could not be reached.
The pair released a joint statement after the hour-long discussions yesterday which said "The two leaders had a constructive meeting.
"They discussed Dáil numbers and possible legislative proposals which could be passed in a further Dáil session.
"They agreed to consider matters further and to meet again next week."
However Fianna Fáil would prefer to let the government come to its "natural end" with the wind-down in early April before the Easter break, and to have a General Election during that period.
Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath spoke on RTÉ's Morning Ireland this morning and said "there are critical pieces of legislation which we would regard as a priority, that we think can be advanced and completed in this period."
Ultimately though, he said, it is the Taoiseach's decision.
See More: General Election, Ireland, Leo Varadkar
