Greens may let climate-change legislation slide in push for early election

“We do need an election in March. It’s absolutely imperative, and as far as we are concerned to let it drift beyond into April would be unacceptable,” Mr Gormley said.

But despite the two men meeting for almost an hour and a half to discuss the Finance Bill and the timing of the looming poll, there was still no firm indication of a date.

It has been suggested March 24 or 25 could be the preferred options.

Focus now shifts to the Finance Bill, giving affect to Budget measures, due to go before the Dáil next week.

Mr Gormley said it could be passed by the end of February, clearing the way for an election.

Green Senator Dan Boyle said the Taoiseach was keeping his options open about naming a date at the end of March or beginning of April, which he said was out of the question.

His party has been pushing for other legislation to be passed before the Dáil is dissolved, including the Climate Change Bill and new laws banning corporate donations.

But Senator Boyle suggested the Greens might let them slide.

“Our hope and our expectation is other legislation can be passed in the meantime, and we are still very hopeful that the legislation on corporate donations and climate change can and will be passed,” he said.

“But if the Finance Bill is passed and they’re not, that’s something we’re going to have to live with.”

After securing support to continue at the helm of his ruling Fianna Fail party, the Taoiseach took on the Foreign Affairs portfolio left vacant by the resignation of rebel minister Micheal Martin.

Mr Cowen said Mr Martin’s resignation had been accepted by President Mary McAleese and he would take over the role for the “time being”, amid speculation he was planning a cabinet reshuffle in the Government’s final days.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny took a swipe at the Taoiseach after he confirmed Mr Martin’s resignation in the Dáil.

“I hope it does not turn out like some other things you’ve taken charge of,” Mr Kenny said.

Mr Martin stepped down last night after losing his leadership challenge against Mr Cowen, insisting he was honour-bound to resign from the Cabinet.

Senator Mary O’Rourke claimed on Twitter that the Taoiseach won the vote by two to one.

Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin was the only other senior minister to reveal voting against the Taoiseach, but she said she would not be resigning and the Taoiseach had not asked her to.

“I’ve confidence in the Taoiseach and I spoke to the Taoiseach last night,” the minister said. “I didn’t offer my resignation nor did he ask for it. We both indicated we were very happy that I continue doing the job in Government that I do.”

Mr Martin said Ms Hanafin should not step down.

“I made it clear last night ... that as far as I was concerned, I was resigning, there was no need for anybody else to resign,” the former minister said. “I’m very clear that my resignation was the only one that was necessary.”

Fianna Fáil is facing a massive battle to retain even half its 71 Dail seats after hitting record lows of 14% in opinion polls, while the Greens are at 4%

Despite the shockingly low figures, Senator Boyle said his party was not fearful of a potential backlash from angry voters.

“We don’t fear an election…We’ve never feared being a party that was willing to say things that were unpopular and to stand by our actions when we believe they were the right things to do,” Senator Boyle told RTE Radio.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams claimed it "smacked of an ad hoc approach" for Mr Cowen to take on the foreign affairs brief.

He said the position needed a full-time minister.

“His decision will mean less focus by the Government at a time when more focus is required. There is an urgent need for a ministerial appointment,” he said.