Prime Minister Enda Kenny has said he does not intend to call a parliamentary election in Ireland before early next year, seeking to halt widespread speculation he would call a snap vote next month.
Mr Kenny has until March to set a date, but with opinion polls putting his Fine Gael party and coalition partners Labour within striking distance of re-election, party colleagues and strategists have said a November ballot is being considered.
"My intention is to have the general election in the spring of 2016 and I see no reason to change that," Mr Kenny said.
Asked whether he might change my mind, he repeated that he saw no reason to do so.
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