Pre-Brexit election would be ‘suicidal’ FG’s Hayes says focus must be on key negotiations

ANY discussion of a general election before Brexit takes place would be ‘suicidal for the country’, Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes has warned.

The UK-EU divorce is set to take place in March next year, and Mr Hayes believes the Government’s sole focus should be on those negotiations, rather than a trip to the ballot box.

The precarious nature of the minority Government has meant talk of an election has hung over the Dáil since its inception.

It is no secret that Leo Varadkar, who succeeded Enda Kenny as Taoiseach, would like his own mandate as leader. And with the abortion referendum out of the way, speculation about an election has resurfaced in recent weeks. But Mr Hayes, a close ally of the Taoiseach who was Fine Gael director of elections Urging caution: Brian Hayes for the last national poll, believes such talk is distracting.

He told Newstalk: ‘Throughout the next 10 months or so, it would be suicidal for the country to be either discussing an election, having a shadow election, or going into an election in a circumstance where these negotiations are taking place.

‘There is a huge amount at stake -– so, I just think we need to take our foot off the pedal on the rhetoric about elections right now, and get down and finish this negotiation.’

The third of three promised budgets under confidence and supply is due to be delivered this October, and if agreement can be reached between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, will be legislated for in January or February next year.

That means talk of extending the deal – or going to the polls – will crop up then, with just a month to go until Brexit.

‘Fianna Fáil has been very honourable – and their leader especially, Micheál Martin – in delivering [their] part of the confident and supply arrangement. I think both Fianna Fáil and himself want to deliver a third budget’ Mr Hayes said.

‘The issue is, if we get to January and February and we’re looking at a review or renewing of the confidence and supply arrangement... we’re at a critical moment in the negotiation.’

The MEP was quoted earlier this month as saying the Taoiseach ‘is in campaign mode at the moment.

‘He is going to party meetings around the country, and he is open to TDs’ requests,’ he said.

Tomorrow brings the first day of a crucial European Council summit, at which the UK had been expected to provide some clarity over their Brexit proposals concerning the Irish border.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach rowed back on a threat to put a stop to negotiations if ‘significant progress’ was not reached at the summit. Instead, he said negotiations will intensify.

‘What happens invariably when walking out of talks is that sooner or later there is a need to walk back in again. What is required now is that we intensify the talks and that is what we expect to happen so that we can come to an agreement in October,’ Mr Hayes said.

‘Fianna Fáil has been honourable ’