The Cabinet will meet this morning to outline proposals for a Commission of Investigation into alleged sexual abuse at a foster home in the south-east.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar and junior minister Kathleen Lynch are recommending it be established.
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Government to set up Commission of Inquiry into HSE abuse case
However the Taoiseach said that the terms of reference will be decided by the next Dáil.
The HSE's director general Tony O'Brien is due to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to give a full account of their handling of the case at noon.
This could push any election announcement later in the evening or into tomorrow - as the dissolution of the Dáil would also dissolve the PAC.
The alleged sexual abuse is already being investigated by senior counsel Conor Dignam - and any Commission of Investigation would likely draw heavily from his work.
Tánaiste Joan Burton has said that she is in favour of a full judicial inquiry into the foster home.
But any investigation will not be established until the end of April - after the General Election.