Fine Gael has said it is on an "election footing" with the party leader, Mr Michael Noonan, advising colleagues yesterday to begin campaigning locally and across the State.
After a five-hour meeting of deputies, senators and MEPs the deputy chairman of the party, Mr Louis Belton, said Mr Noonan had warned "that the general election could happen at any time by accident or design".
The meeting was briefed by health spokesman Mr Gay Mitchell on the party's response to the crisis in the health service, and by crime spokesman Mr Billy Timmins about its position on law and order.