FG to threaten a September poll

FINE Gael is preparing to make Fianna Fáil an offer on the future of the confidence-and-supply deal: either a two-year extension of the deal or an election in September.

One Minister said: ‘It’s a win/win scenario. Either we get to see out a full term in government or we get an election whilst we are at peak strength.

‘We are entirely entitled to say that in September the leader needs a long-term deal so we can focus on Brexit and the economy.

‘If Fianna Fáil don’t co-operate we are entirely entitled to run to the country on the basis of give the man the tools to do the job.’