Election date to be set in new year, Cowen confirms
An Taoiseach Brian Cowen has confirmed there will be a date set for the General Election in the new year.
In a statement in the last few minutes he said there was a "clear duty on all members of Dáil Eireann" to facilitate the passing of the Budget on December 7.
He said that when the legislative measures were in place to cement the Budget, his intention was to seek a dissolution of the Dáil, and to name a date for the Election.
He said the passing of the Budget was "hugely important" for the country and that "the vital national interest of the country required that financial stability be achieved".
He added that the on-going EU/IMF negotiations with his Government depended on the Budget measures coming into effect.
