Leo Varadkar is ready to call the general election for next month.
The Taoiseach has up until now insisted that a May election date would be his preference.
But when asked by the Irish Mirror directly this afternoon if he was still reserving the right to call a snap poll for as early as next month, he said it was his “prerogative” to call it whenever he wants.
His comments come just a day ahead of the crunch meeting with Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, tomorrow evening where the two leaders will try and agree an election date.
It ups the ante for a February election and all the parties in Leinster House must act on the assumption that an election is on the way, sooner rather than later.
Mr Varadkar was speaking at the opening of the 2020 BT Young Scientists competition in the RDS where he was marvelling at the ingenuity of the country’s school kids.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Taoiseach was asked by the Mirror if he still reserves the right to call a February election.
He said: “It’s the prerogative of anyone who has the honour of holding the office of Taoiseach to seek a dissolution and then it’s a matter for the President to decide."
