Longford-Westmeath Oireachtas members strongly differ on when General Election should be held

There is contrasting opinions in Longford-Westmeath on when the General Election should be held but the four Oireachtas members have said they are ready for the starting gun.

Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty and Fine Gael Senator Micheál Carrigy have said they are ready for the election and they have no preference when it is held, while Enterprise Minister Peter Burke would 'ideally' like the Government to run full-term.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke is eager for a General Election to be called as soon as possible and she believes the Government have failed to fix the big problems.

Despite, mounting speculation a November date is likely, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has stressed that nothing has changed around the timing of a general election.

Last week, he told the Dublin Chamber annual dinner that there have been no talks in relation to finishing the Government's mandate early and they must fully pass the Finance Act.

When would you like to see the General Election?

Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty said he has no preference whether the general election happens in November or early next year.

"Whenever it is it is, I'm absolutely committed on the day-to-day work as a TD and doing my absolute best for the people of the constituency," he said. "There has to be an election between now and March but look the one who knows really when it's going to be is the Taoiseach."

Meanwhile, Fine Gael Senator Micheál Carrigy insisted he is also prepared and ready for the general election.

"I have no preference when the election is, I'm fit and ready and I have been for a long time now," he said. "Ahead of whenever the election is going to be I've been doing work on the ground both locally and nationally representing the people of Longford-Westmeath so I have no preference. That is the call of our party leader."

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said it is important that they have time to pass the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare bill to implement the budget over the coming weeks.

"Ideally, the government would run its full term as there is plenty I know we can work on between now and next March, chief among them continuing to see progress on house building as we have now got to the stage where over 200 new homes are being commenced every single day, and over 500 first time buyers are getting the keys to new homes every single week," he added.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke said she would like the general election called as soon as possible.

"Everyday Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael remain in office, the longer the squandering of valuable resources continues," she added.