President Michael D Higgins has been given permission by the Government to travel to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands for a private visit between February 14th and 24th.

The timing of the President’s holiday has fuelled speculation that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will ask him to dissolve the Dáil before February 14th.

Mr Kenny said told reporters on Monday: “I have already said the election will be held in early spring and I am sticking with that. I have a date in my head, yes. I will share that with you and everyone else when I go to Áras an Uachtaráin.”