March Election date now unlikely
It is very unlikely now that the Election will be held on March 11, as originally announced by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
Green Party leader John Gormley, in announcing his party's withdrawal from Government earlier, said it should be possible to quickly pass the Finance Bill and hold an early election.
In brief comments in the last few minutes, Brian Cowen did not address the question of the Election date, but a date in the week starting February 21 is now thought most likely.
