Taoiseach says election will be held 'shortly'

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern left the electorate wondering today by refusing to say when he would call the general election and only indicating it would be held "shortly".

Speaking in Druids Glen this afternoon, Mr Ahern said he would not be calling it today and dismissed the results of an Irish Times opinion poll showing an alternative Fine Gael-Labour government had moved four points ahead of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrat option.

"There's nearly an opinion poll every day," Mr Ahern told reporters after an Irish Management Institute meeting in Co Wicklow.

"To be honest I have a quick scan of them every day, and there's only one I'm concerned about and that is in a number of weeks time. I'll reflect on that one alright."

Asked if he would be naming a date for the election today, the Taoiseach said: "No I'm going to the sunny southeast today, I'm going down to Wexford.

"I heard yesterday that both journalists and politicians were on tenterhooks. The election is shortly, the calling of it is just a technicality so people shouldn't be worrying themselves about it. The election will be shortly."

All indications are that the Taoiseach will enter the Dáil and name the election date early next week, or even over the weekend. Fianna Fáil party workers moved into their election media centre overnight in advance of the election campaign in a further clue that the call is close.

Other parties are also preparing their campaigns, and the Progressive Democrats are unveiling their election manifesto in Dublin on Sunday morning.

In this morning's Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll, Fine Gael has seen a 5 per centage point increase in support since the last Irish Timespoll in January.

The increase means that the Fine Gael-Labour alternative has pulled four points ahead of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition. If the Green Party is included, the alternative government parties have a lead of 10 per cent over Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.

The adjusted figures for party support are: Fianna Fáil 34 per cent (down 3 points); Fine Gael 31 per cent (up 5 points); Labour 10 per cent (down 1 point); Sinn Féin 10 per cent (up 1 point); Greens 6 per cent (down 2 points); PDs 3 per cent (up 2 points); and Independents/others 6 per cent (down 2 points).

Asked about the Government's chances in the elections, Mr Ahern said: "I think the economy is strong, the economy is doing well and employment is high. All of those big issues are gone, so there's a certain confidence.

"Sometimes people could foolishly think that anybody could run it [the country]. God forbid if they find out the other side of it, they'll find out the mistake they have made but anyway let's hope they don't make that mistake.

"The only way this Government will be beaten is by a conglomeration of a whole lot of parties that will be probably green and red and God knows what you'll have. My own sense is that they'll just make a mess of it," Mr Ahern.