A Clare Government TD is predicting a Christmas General Election.
It comes amid questions over the life of the coalition at Leinster House, after outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced his resignation.
Simon Harris is leading the race to be named as the next leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach of the 33rd Dáil.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education is yet to formally announce his leadership bid, but he has already far exceeded the necessary six nominations needed, with Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway among those already declaring support.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee was among the early favourites to contest the bid, but has since ruled herself out of contention.
Other potential challengers, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphries and the most likely rival Minister for Expenditure Pascal Donohoe have yet to through their hat into the ring.
Concerns over the democratic nature of the Taoiseach selection process has triggered calls from all opposition parties for an immediate general election.
Clare’s Fine Gael Chair doesn’t have a preferred candidate at this point, but former TD and Senator, Kilkee native Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, believes there’s still stability within the coalition and that it should run its full course.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD, meanwhile, believes voters will be returning to the polling booth for a Christmas General Election.
Cathal Crowe has paid tribute to outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his support for Garda Whistleblower Maurice McCabe, his handling of the Brexit Trade Agreement and for achieving economic growth.
The Meelick Deputy insists there is still consensus and energy within the current government to deliver its programme, but says an election will be called in the final quarter of the year, for logistical reasons, rather than public discontent.
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