Irish general election to be called this year

The three party leaders have agreed the general election will take place in 2024

The leaders of the three Irish government parties have agreed that the general election will take place in 2024.

A general election must be called in the Republic of Ireland before the term ends in March 2025.

Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman have agreed the passage of the Finance Bill is the priority for the government.

The bill contains new taxation provisions. Its committee stage will start on 5 November.

Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has previously proposed 29 November for the election, but no date has been announced.

Speaking in Dublin on Friday, O'Gorman said it was time for "some degree of certainty" to be given to the Irish people about a date.

He said that an end of November date would allow enough time to "get those final pieces of legislation through".

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ News, the taoiseach said he wanted the government to finish the work it had under way.

He said he then wanted to "engage and take the views of the other coalition leaders in relation to the appropriate timing for a general election".

"I want to do that at a time that is right for the country and I also want to do it at a time that makes sense in terms of finishing the work," Harris said.