Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed that Fine Gael TDs have been told that the Government intends to hold the next general election on Saturday 9 April 2016.
The news comes as a well known TD said that Mr Kenny informed the Parliamentary Party of this some time ago. The TD said that the Taoiseach said: ” put that date in your diary,”. The news also means that the current Government will have to run its full term for the election to be held on that date and would see the Coalition remain in office during the 1916 Centenary celebrations.