Campaigning under way in Irish election as Taoiseach names day
CAMPAIGNING IS under way in the Irish General Election after the Taoiseach ended months of speculation by naming February 8 as polling day.
The Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar travelled to see President Michael D Higgins yesterday afternoon to ask for the formal dissolution of the Dail parliament.
Earlier, as he announced the election date outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Mr Varadkar insisted it was the “right time” for Ireland to vote.
Outlining his rationale, he highlighted that the Brexit withdrawal deal had been agreed and powersharing was restored in Northern Ireland.
He said there was a window before the European Council summit in March to enable an incoming government to secure a fresh mandate ahead of the next stage of Brexit negotiations.
It will be the first time an Irish General Election will be held on a Saturday.
The poll will be Mr Varadkar’s first General Election in the post of Taoiseach.
He said it had been a “privilege” to lead the country since taking over from Enda Kenny in 2017.
“As a nation, we have every reason to be hopeful about the future,” said Mr Varadkar.
“We’ve modernised our society – marriage equality, women’s rights, real progress in education, welfare and childcare.
“But, it’s not enough. I know it’s not enough. People want their Government to do much more. And I want us to do much more.”
Mr Varadkar’s minority Fine Gael-led administration had been facing potential defeat in a vote of no confidence in Health Minister Simon Harris in the first week of next month. That prospect will now be averted with the calling of the election.